September 9this over.
That is a day I have been counting down until for months; a day I knew would be filled with an overwhelming mix of excitement, a little sadness, and profound wonder for what the days ahead would hold.
For months, my sights have been set on September 9th. That was the date I left for this thing. That was the day where I had hoped to be fully funded by (and I AM, PRAISE THE LORD!). That was the day where I said goodbye to home for 9 months and said hello to new experiences, cultures, miracles, and stories that had yet to be shared. In a sense, I made the ninth day of September my end goal.
Of course in this, I thought about what would happen after launch, what travel days would look like, what I imagined living amongst other places for months at a time would be like, and other things that are included with actually BEING on the world race.
But then I woke up on September 10th and realized that really, in reality, this journey had only just begun. The preparation was over. The goodbyes were done with. All that was left was to actually just go and be present wherever I was. This was such a strange realization; after all, I could only work with what I understood and had knowledge of. What lies beyond September 9thare things that I have no control over.
Today is September 12th. I’m currently writing this post sitting on the ground of the Boston-Logan Airport, on hour 6 out of 14 of our layover, exhausted beyond belief, before I hop on a plane and say goodbye to the US for 9 months. I’m surrounded by my squad-mates, all who have so quickly become family, and all who are trying to wrap their minds around the same things I am. This is real. This is happening. This is past the preparation and the waiting; this is past September 9th.
I encourage you to not think so much about your September 9th, but to focus on where you currently are, recognizing that God is present and he is working where your feet are planted. As time passes, this becomes more and more true as it plays out before my eyes. Everything I expected to happen past my launch date has been new and exciting and more than confirming that this is just where I’m supposed to be.
You’d be surprised what happens when you step out in obedience. I pray that my story can be a living testament to that.
Look beyond your September 9th today, and rest in the fact that he holds you, and all those days after.
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A little travel update!
My squad and I arrived from Atlanta, Georgia to Boston, Massachusetts this morning around 9:00 am, kicking off our first travel day and the long Journey to our first country; Swaziland! I will arrive in Swazi on Friday afternoon (September 14th), with the other half of our squad joining us the next morning. I am feeling tired (only running on one hour of sleep right now… guess how much coffee I’ve had so far!!), excited, and ready to arrive in Swaziland. Please keep us in prayer for energy, safe traveling, and supernatural rest over the weekend as we prepare to begin our first week of ministry next week! Overjoyed to be able to participate in this experience, and in the work that God has already begun in Africa.
More updates to come!
