1 day left until I leave for Training Camp!! It’s been a ride of feelings and emotions these past few days and I know tomorrow is going to be even harder as I spend the last few hours at home with my family.

Recently I have been remembering back to when I signed up for this trip almost exactly a year ago. I remember having so much peace about this decision and almost no fear at all. Now, being 1 day away from leaving, all of that fear has caught up to me and I am anxious for what the future holds. But I know that the Lord holds my future and goes before me in all things. I know that when I fully depend on him and put all of my trust in his good plans I will have peace and comfort even in the moments that feel really hard.

These last few hours at home are going to be the hardest. Saying goodbye to my family. Going to bed for the last time in my own bed. Putting all my things in the car in the morning. Driving to the airport to leave home for 9 months. It all feels so hard and sad when I think about these things but I am learning to remind myself that the Lord holds my life in his hands and I just need to lean into him and trust that his plan is good.

In the midst of all the fear and worry, I am beyond excited to take this leap of faith and go on this journey of a lifetime. I am excited for the places I will go, the people I will meet, the experiences I will have, the communities I will serve, and the incredible stories I will have.

I am so thankful for my community of friends and family who come alongside both me and my friend Ella who is coming with me on this journey. The other night my precious friends, the Singh’s, hosted a prayer time for Ella and I. It was a sweet time of fellowship, prayer, and sad goodbyes (that will make for an even sweeter homecoming). I could not be more blessed with all of the precious friends and family that the Lord has put in my life.

As many of you know, I will be traveling with a 65L backpack that has to be under 40 pounds. This will be a very humbling experience for me because I am a chronic over-packer. Packing for 9 months inside of 1 backpack has taught me to be focused on the things that I need and not on the things that I want. I was able to fit everything into my bag with it weighing 38.4 pounds!! Tonight will be the last time I fully pack everything into it before I leave bright and early tomorrow morning.

I am so excited for this journey and beyond grateful for everyone’s encouragement and support as I step into this new season!!