The last couple of weeks have been spent packing and saying goodbye to people. I am currently a day out from leaving Indiana for 11 months which is WILD to think about. In all honesty, it doesn’t feel real yet. Nothing about this upcoming year feels real. In my head I know it’s happening and I know that it’s real. But I just am having a hard time wrapping my head around it all.
On my last day here in Indiana, I reflect on the time I have had at home over the last number of months. I reflect on the beauty of getting to know my sisters on a deeper level. On getting to spend time with my parents and talk about life and the next steps in both of our lives. Getting to connect with old friends and do life with them. Getting to make new friends that are so different from me but are so similar at the same time. God has opened up some really cool doors and just made some really cool connections over the last eight months, which means there are some really hard goodbyes. It’s hard saying goodbye to people, even if it’s just for 11 months. So much happens in that time. Things will be different. People will be different. And I have to remind myself that that is okay and that is good. But that doesn’t make it any less hard.
Goodbyes are really hard…BUT these goodbyes lead to so many beautiful things. As I say my goodbyes, I look to so many exciting adventures that are about to begin. I think about all of the people I will get to say hello to. All of the new countries and cultures I get to explore and understand. I get to dive into a new area of life that will stretch my faith and allow me to just be the hands and feet of Jesus. And I am so excited to embark on these adventures.
As I enter this next season, I have some really cool news: I am fully funded. As of December 31, 2021, I am 100% funded for the Race. Praise. The. Lord. God worked in the heart of so many people to help me raise $18,700, which is a huge amount and an amount that I was so afraid I wouldn’t raise before launch. I knew that this is what God was calling me to, so I knew He would provide, but still, it was that lingering fear and thinking about the “what ifs.”
I would like to give a HUGE thank you to everyone who contributed, supported, and partnered with me. I appreciate you more than words can even begin to describe. Thank you for supporting me, whether you know me or have had the smallest of conversations with me. Your support means the world to me. So thank you, thank you. I feel as if a huge burden is lifted off my shoulders and I can solely focus on the ministry and relationships that lie ahead.
While goodbyes are hard, goodbye means I am entering into a new chapter. Goodbyes allow me to enter into a really cool new chapter. Thank you to all who have helped me get to these hard, but beautiful goodbyes. Indiana, I will see you in 11 months.
