So I am currently getting ready to leave... ahhhhh! I am very excited and have a lot of mixed emotions. How does one prepare themselves for 9 months? I'm basically done packing except for those "final things"... I have too much stuff. I feel bad going to a poverty stricken country with 2 giant bags full of stuff. Goodness... I really can't believe that it's time and that tomorrow I'll be leaving for good.

 

I want to thank my family- they have been so amazing through this process and there is no way I would be ready for this adventure if it was not for their physical support (like getting my computer stuff sorted *dad* helping me pack *mom* helping me shop/making me laugh *emmers*)and all of their encouragement.  So thank you. And Carter and Becca thank you guys for you loving me through your letters and for you constant encouragement. I miss you guys but I'm SO excited about what God is doing though you. I love you guys more than words can express and I'm going to miss you guys more than you will know. Thank you for being so supportive and for being willing to let me go live my dream and follow God where He is taking me... I know that it's harder than you let me know. I love you guys...

 

And also, I want to say thanks to all of you have have encouraged me. Stephen, Emily, Hanna, Jaymie, Ben, Donna, Guy, Molly, My grandparents, You guys downtown,Shaun, All of you Brookhill buddies, The Malat's, My church buddies and all of my supporters.... I love you all so much and I really do wish I could tell you just how far your encouragement has gone. Mother Thresa said, "Kind words are easy to speak but their echos are truly endless." I have experienced the kindness of your words and the echos will carry me through the duration of this challenging adventure. I love you all- thank you for letting God use you in my life.

 

Man, goodbyes are hard and weird. Some of you have already made me tear up... and I thought I was a rock. HA! =) I can't believe that my prayers are being answered and that my dreams are about to be lived out. I'm reading through Acts and I this verse reminded me of this goodbye: "Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus." Now... I'm not planning on being "bound" (hopefully) and I have no intention of dying but I am ready for whatever it is that God will call me to. So though goodbyes are heartbreaking- I can't help but to think of the joy that will come from this experience. So...

Goodbye.