Lift off in 5...4...3...2...1...

In five hours I am flying to California for orientation.... leaving my family is harder than I could have imagine. I will be missing out on a lot of monumental events: my baby brother's graduation, his 18th birthday, my mom's 50th birthday, my dad's 50th birthday... people getting married, people having kids... I won't be there to see it.

But... I serve an amazing God that has chosen me to be part of this journey to Peru! And even though I will be missing these very special occasions with people I love, I will be a witness to many special things to come :) God is going to use me and mold me... completely change me for the better, and guide me as I serve for the next 27 months. I am blessed to be part of this! It is for that reason that I have peace about saying goodbye to my family today... it's not forever, only for a while.

Many of us are flying in today at various times-- please pray for the safety of everyone. Pray that our nerves would be calmed, our tears wiped away and our hearts continue to be filled with the love and obedience that has brought us all to this very day.

Follow along with me (in my blog) as I go through this journey... let's see where God takes us :)