I only have a few days left here in America. I don't know what to feel. I leave Monday, August 3rd, and all I can think about is whether or not I have everything that I need and if I'm missing anything. For the past few weeks all I have heard from anyone is the question: So are you ready?
To be completely honest, I don't know. I don't like when people ask me that question because I don't know how to even feel. I'm excited and nervous. I feel nostalgic, sick to my stomach, and yet I feel extremely happy and overwhelmed. My head is in the clouds but my common sense still hasn't left me (let's just say that that's the Holy Spirit at work!). I've been trying to spend these last few days with my family and even with all of this time I'm spending with them, I feel as though it's not enough. My grandma is the one that worries me the most, since I am extremely close to her. So to anyone who is reading this and is still going to be at home during my mission year, PLEASE take care of her for me. Go visit her, talk to her, cry with her--ANYTHING! I know how she's going to get while I'm gone (and beware: it won't be a very chipper mood), so please, someone keep her company and be patient with her.
The clock is ticking and my departure date is coming VERY soon. I have so many emotions and thoughts going on in my head, and the only thing that is keeping me sane is my reliance on God. There have been three bombings in Chad (that I can recall) that have happened within this past month. The supervisors at the hospital that I will be working with have created evacuation plans in case of anything. Through all of the chaos, the doors to Chad continue to be wide open.
I am going to the unknown, and of all things to feel, I do not have any fear. God has promised me that He is going to watch over me. If the unexpected occurs while I am in Chad, so be it. That may sound crazy and over the top but I once heard a pastor say: "God is looking for the modern day Paul, Joseph, Moses, Ruth, Esther . . . will we accept His call?" I want to be like them and most of all follow the example that Jesus gave while He was here on earth. He served without expecting anything in return and loved all people no matter the consequences in order to carry out the Gospel. I aim to have a heart like that and through anything that I do, give all glory to God.
To be completely honest, I don't know. I don't like when people ask me that question because I don't know how to even feel. I'm excited and nervous. I feel nostalgic, sick to my stomach, and yet I feel extremely happy and overwhelmed. My head is in the clouds but my common sense still hasn't left me (let's just say that that's the Holy Spirit at work!). I've been trying to spend these last few days with my family and even with all of this time I'm spending with them, I feel as though it's not enough. My grandma is the one that worries me the most, since I am extremely close to her. So to anyone who is reading this and is still going to be at home during my mission year, PLEASE take care of her for me. Go visit her, talk to her, cry with her--ANYTHING! I know how she's going to get while I'm gone (and beware: it won't be a very chipper mood), so please, someone keep her company and be patient with her.
The clock is ticking and my departure date is coming VERY soon. I have so many emotions and thoughts going on in my head, and the only thing that is keeping me sane is my reliance on God. There have been three bombings in Chad (that I can recall) that have happened within this past month. The supervisors at the hospital that I will be working with have created evacuation plans in case of anything. Through all of the chaos, the doors to Chad continue to be wide open.
I am going to the unknown, and of all things to feel, I do not have any fear. God has promised me that He is going to watch over me. If the unexpected occurs while I am in Chad, so be it. That may sound crazy and over the top but I once heard a pastor say: "God is looking for the modern day Paul, Joseph, Moses, Ruth, Esther . . . will we accept His call?" I want to be like them and most of all follow the example that Jesus gave while He was here on earth. He served without expecting anything in return and loved all people no matter the consequences in order to carry out the Gospel. I aim to have a heart like that and through anything that I do, give all glory to God.