Ok, so as I planned to write this a few days ago, my intention was to share my thoughts and feelings as I prepare to leave for this eight-month adventure in the morning. Well, the past 36 hours have turned out to be incredibly crazy. So, given the past little bit, I'm going to do the best I can to meet my original intentions despite how incredibly surreal looking at all of my stuff packed on the floor is right now...

I've already said a couple of pretty difficult goodbyes- Blake and Karissa tonight and last night and Sabrina and my dad's parents and some other family before that- and I have many more to say tomorrow. Saying goodbye to anyone before the past two days was pretty easy for me because I was still far enough out from the trip that I could just say goodbye and dissociate what I was doing from its significance. But with the trip leaving tomorrow, I realized how hard it is for me to leave the Biblical community here at home that God has provided me with and that I rely on significantly. Life goes on here in the U.S. without me, and I will miss portions of these people's lives that I will never be able to be a part of, which is not something that, in and of itself, I'm fond of.

But please don't misunderstand me. I could not be more excited to be doing what God has planned for me and called me to. This is going to be the most crazy, incredible, awesome, life-changing experience ever-believe me, I know. And in perspective, eight months away from some of my closest brothers and sisters is nothing compared to the eternity that we get to praise Jesus together, but the eternal impact that God can have through my life in such a relatively short time is immeasurable. Crazy conundrum, huh?! All that to say, I'm sad to be leaving my family and adopted family (friends) here for this time, but I (hopefully) will come home to them in a short eight months (it's a possibility that I won't, and I've accepted it and made my peace with the idea; although I certainly don't think God is anywhere near finished with me yet!), but I'm crazy excited to join my Novas family in Mexico tomorrow and continue to develop those relationship, rooted in Christ.

I have had many people ask me about my fears, and I honestly have to say that at this point, I don't have any. I am just excited to follow the Holy Spirit's guidance for the next eight months (and past that!), to get to experience the fullness of everything God has planned for me and His mercy, and to do it all with such incredible team members! We get to be His hands and feet together, and I love them so much.

To all of you that I leave for this time in the United States, please know how much I love you all and how much you mean to me. You are the most incredible people ever, and I am often brought to tears at God's generosity in bringing all of you into my life. You guys are awesome!