In less than 36 hours, I will be on the plane to South Africa. I will be saying good-bye to everything comfortable and familiar, and embarking on a journey that I can only imagine where it will take me. I am fearful for what will come, however I am also ready to have adventures of a life time. Someone said today that "adventure is discomfort remembered," and I don't think that can be any more true. I know I should be explosively excited for what is about to come, but when I leave, I leave behind a part of my heart that only belongs to Chad. I remember Chad and I talking about the possibility of me studying abroad in South Africa, but I never imagined it would be this hard to leave him. I wish I left yesterday, because each day I am with him, he grabs another piece of my heart and fall more in love with him. If there is anything that I could ask from all of you, is please pray for my heart while I am away from Chad. I am not afraid of the places that Christ will take me, and I am accepting the fact that my heart will break for South Africa, for I know Christ will carry me through. His strength and love is enough, but what I am scared of is my own strength of my heart and the pain I will feel when I leave Chad.
For the next few months I will be writing on this blog, not only to share with others the experiences I will be having, but also for myself to reflect and process the events that I am encountering. As I process the emotions of my heart, my spirituality, and the things I encounter, I pray that you all accept my heart and understand that I am in the process of growing. I cannot promise that all of my words will be appropriate, understandable, or even accepted by many, however these will be the issues that I must encounter in order to be transformed.
We meet at 2:30 am Thursday to take the bus that will being us to the airport. We will be traveling for about 24 hours, taking one layover in Washington DC and then making our way down to Johannesburg, South Africa. We will stay 2 nights in Johannesburg and then go to Pietermaritzburg. We will not have internet until after the 24th, but I hope to give an update soon after that. Please pray for mine and Chad's hearts as we say good-bye. I hold tight to an image that Kelsey shared with me. It is me and Chad holding hands, however he is in California and I am in South Africa, but we are still clinging tight and supporting each other.
Blessings to you all!
Lauren, that just makes me emotional to read. I will pray for you continually and you will always be in my thoughts. I will miss you lots but I just know that you are going to have a great time. Love you!
ReplyDeletePraying.....:) Thank you for opening your heart to all of us....may peace flow through you as you trust fully in the Lord's guidance. you have already taken the first step, when you said YES to south Africa. :) I love you and cant wait to experience through words this journey you are about to embark on.
ReplyDeleteWish your layover in DC was more than an hour! :) I'm so excited for you in this new journey--I can't believe it's really come! I look forward to hearing how the Lord uses that beautiful country to teach you, love you and mold you. You & Chad are in my thoughts and prayers. Love you roomie!
ReplyDeleteLove you LP and am praying for you and chad daily. You are missed already!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteLittle Sister!
ReplyDeleteI am always looking forward to your posts! What an incredible journey you are on, Ben and I love reading about it. I am so proud and amazed at the wonderful person you are and the compassion you hold in your heart. Keep spreading your wonderful love, the world needs more hearts like yours. I hope all is well!
Love
Katherine