This week, as the end of summer approached and I said goodbye to some of my closest friends as they headed off to college, I was suddenly overwhelmed by a lot of emotions. 

This summer was different than most for me. I spent the first half wondering where I was going next and the second half trying to make as many memories as possible before I left. But no matter what I was feeling this summer, I kept coming back to the same realization: I was so happy and thankful to be right where I was. 

I was content in this town, surrounded by the people I love. And realizing that made me question whether I was really supposed to join the race and leave at all. 

As I tried on my backpack for the first time, started ordering the random things I would need to take with me, and said goodbye to some of the people I love most in the world, my overthinking mind kept asking the same questions: 

What if you made the wrong choice? What if you’re supposed to stay? 

Not even 24 hours after asking the Lord those exact questions, I woke up feeling like a foreigner. 

There was this strange, uneasy yet comforting feeling inside of me, almost a restlessness. I was no longer content with staying. I felt like I needed to go. I needed to leave this place and do the next thing the Lord was calling me to. 

It was strange because home is such a special place to me. I love this town. I love the people here. I love the life I’ve built here. For so long, I thought that leaving would mean giving up something I wasn’t ready to let go of. 

But the Lord gave me the strength to let go, by reassuring me about the mission he has in front of me. The Lord wanted me to be fully present here for this season, but now he is preparing my heart to go do the next thing. 

I don’t think my love for home was evidence that I was supposed to stay. Maybe it was part of what made this season so meaningful. I can leave loving this place deeply without being called to remain here. 

So as I prepare to go, I’m still going to miss this little town. I’m still going to miss the people I love. I’m still going to have moments when I wonder what I’m leaving behind. 

But I’m learning that I don’t have to choose between being grateful for where I’ve been and being excited for where I’m going. 

The Lord was faithful to me here this summer, and now He is calling me somewhere new, so I’m going. 

I leave in exactly six days for probably one of the craziest years of my life. One of the ways God has shown me this is exactly where he wants me is through the generous support I’vereceived from the people around me.  

I want to thank all the people who have been praying for me consistently and for the people who have supported me financially and helped me reach my halfway goal to launch next week. I am immensely grateful, and I could not do this without you. 

Please continue to pray for me this week as I pack up my stuff, say goodbye to my family, and head to Georgia for training. Pray for the first days with my squad, that we would connect and prepare well together for the work God has for us this year.  

Most of all, pray for my heart, that I would remain open to whatever the Lord has for me, even when it looks different than what I expect. 

If you want to consider giving financially, your gift will help make completing this year possible. Whether you give, pray, or simply follow along this year, I am so grateful to have you with me in this. 

Six days to go, can't wait to see what the Lord does!