AND THIS IS THE HARD ONE….
Tomorrow I go to a hotel in Atlanta, Georgia and say goodbye to my dad, which means I am about to jump on a plane and go to Thailand. That I am about to start a new chapter in life.
As I say goodbye I realize that it really hurts, but as Winnie The Pooh says, “How lucky am I to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard…” and I really mean it. I am LUCKY. Lucky to have a community at home that I know will be keeping me in prayer and constantly waiting to hear how I am doing. Lucky to have so many people in my life who constantly pour their wisdom into my life. Lucky to have friends who will scream the lyrics to Dancing Queen on the top of their lungs in the wrong key, but not even care and still have so much fun. Lucky to know what it is like to have a community who lives out of the joy of God’s Grace. Who give every ounce of themselves to impact the people around them. I can just go on and on guys. I love you all so much and I don’t even know how I will stay emotionally stable in the next couple of days.
As I think about being home since training camp and preparing for these big nine months one word really sticks out. LOVED. As many of you know, the Kingdom Journeys Key I came home with after training camp said loved on it. I wasn’t 100% sure why that was my word when I left training camp, but now I know why. As I leave I know I am completely and undeniably loved. Not only by people but by my father above. “For first we were loved, now we love.” (1 John 4:19) I have seen this in so many ways since I have been home. Here is one example. On Thursday I went into Staples (after an aggravating amount of time in target) to print out some postcards to give out to remind everyone to keep my team and I in prayer while we were away. As I went to pick up the postcards the employee who was working there asked me exactly what I was doing. After I explained that I was going on a missions trip he gave me my postcards and said, “Don’t worry about paying for them. This is my gift to you.” This random person just completely blessed me out of the goodness of his heart. I was completely speechless and really couldn’t express my gratitude to him. This moment just really showed me that no matter where I go or what I do/need I will be provided for because I am loved.
Please, please, please keep me and my team in your prayers as we prepare ourselves to leave our homes. Please pray for unity, protection, safety, boldness, and for each country we will be in.
PSA: The best way to contact me from here on out will be through email and this blog. You can hit the “Contact” button on the left or email me at [email protected].
So, for now, I say goodbye to this chapter of my life and I look forward to what comes next.
’till next time,
Lillian Son
p.s. I am still about $1,000 away from being fully funded. I have until January of next year to be able to be fully funded. Please, if you feel led hit the donate button on the left or venmo me!
Venmo: @lilly-larson
