It is one day until I will be in Atlanta and reunited with my squad. It is about four days until I officially board a plane for my first country, Costa Rica. And it is right now, that I have never felt so at peace and ready for all that lies ahead. I am so blissfully joyful and at times it feels surreal. Can this be happening? Two years ago I was checking myself into treatment for alcohol and drug abuse and in the time since then my life has blossomed and transformed in a way I never thought possible. What God can do in a persons heart is truly beautiful. What He did in mine is nothing short of a miracle. I am beyond blessed by the amount of love and support I have in my life. I have more than one family and every one of them holds a special place in my heart. How did I get so lucky? A few days ago, my brother flew in to West Palm Beach to help me pack. We played laser tag, went Go-Karting, bowled, and I jumped out of a plane while he rode in the cockpit. We laughed the good kind of laughs, the ones that make your belly hurt and cheeks sore. Brothers are important and I’m blessed to have him hear with me. Now we are road tripping up to Atlanta and last night stayed at a Hostel in the Forest (literally that’s what it’s called). It was such a unique experience. There were chickens in trees and tree houses, outhouses painted fully with murals and a glass house way back in the woods.We ate vegan dinner and swam in the “lake” (large pond). We met people from all over and got to hear little bits of their stories. I saw God in each one of them. I also saw myself. It is amazing when we let our guards down and open our hearts to people what beauty and healing comes out of it. I believe a lot of people have long lost the ability to be vulnerable as a result of old wounds. But the great thing about vulnerability is it creates community and connections, and a place where we can hear that refreshing, “Me too.” With that there is so much freedom and healing. I’m looking forward to learning about people, the world, and myself in these next 11 months. I’m looking forward to being vulnerable and open, to leaning more into God and sharing Him with all those I meet. And so it begins… 11 months of exploration, change, challenge, beauty, discovery and the unknown. It’s going to be one heck of a year but I couldn’t do it without the support I have back home in the states. To my friends and family, you guys are so important to me. Thank you for believing in me and for encouraging me to pursue my dreams and the life I want. Thank you for always leading me toward God and teaching me how to love people well.
Signing out from a McDonald’s in Brunswick, GA. Next stop, Kennesaw Mountain, GA then off to Atlanta tomorrow.
