After what seemed to be the longest year of my life, I am finally ready to start my journey with The World Race. This past month of preparation for my takeoff has been overwhelming and filled with different emotions. I’m sitting here in my hotel in Atlanta still not fully comprehending that I’m about to take off for Cambodia and the rest of the world in a few days. Like I said this past month/ week has been completely crazy and filled with different emotions. So many people ask me how I am feeling or if I am ready for the Race. I have such a hard time telling everyone exactly what is going on through my mind….because there is so much going on at once. So the easiest way I can let you guys have an idea of where I am at is listing some of the different emotions I am feeling right now
1. Overwhelmed- Packing everything you will need for nine months is hard. Really hard..Especially for a person who overpacks. It is so stressful to try to fit everything in very limited spaces and then making sure you don’t forget everything. So many emotions surround you when trying to prepare to leave on a trip like this. There are a lot of things you have to do and get ready in preparation that leave you exhausted and overwhelmed.
2. Sadness- My friends, family, and community mean everything to me. Oh and can’t forget my pets, I love them so much. Saying goodbye was a lot harder than I thought. For some goodbyes I didn’t shed any tears (for some I had complete breakdowns) but each goodbye was equally as hard for me. I find comfort and safety with the people around me. Giving that up was so hard. My heart is aching at the thought of not seeing them for 9 months.
3. Excitement!!! – Even though there is so much I had to give up in order to go on this trip, I am gaining so much in return. I never feel more content as I do when I am serving the Lord. My heart is soaring thinking about the ministry and people I will be working with. I also am so excited to be finally back with my Squad! The people I am going on this trip with are so amazing and so full of the joy of the Lord. I also love traveling and just being able to experience new cultures. I am so excited to get a taste of the world around us.
Those three emotions sum up most of what I am feeling right now at launch. I will be here in Atlanta for a couple more days for training and then my team takes off for Cambodia! I will be working with a ministry called “Ezra Ministries” in Battambang, Cambodia. I will explain more of what I will be doing in a few days and have an update for you guys every week! So stay tuned to hear the things I am experiencing and how the Lord will be moving in my life and in those around me. Thank you for everyone that supported me going on this trip. The amount of support and love I have recieved was so amazing.
