at the beginning.

I sat for about six minutes before deciding on the title for this post.  So many thoughts running through my head, so many wonderful things that God is already doing, so many great family and friends and even strangers who are supporting me in prayer.  But after much debate with myself, all I could come up with was the title you read above:  "at the beginning."  Fitting, huh?

Because this is the beginning.

Of my journey with God in Sudan.
Of new everythings.
Of fantastic new friendships.
Of a new normal.
Of getting to know God more than ever before.
Of what I know God has called me to for the rest of my life.

Saying goodbye is never fun.  But saying hello always is!  And that's what I am saying!

Hello to the next step in my life.
And my next job.
And the next season.
And even to hardships that will lead me to His side.

It's hello to the Toposa people.
And to differences that are good.
And to situations outside of my comfort zone.
And to what will be the greatest adventure of my life so far.

Am I nervous?  No.
Am I afraid?  Not really.
I know.  It seems crazy to me, too!

But God is doing something.
He is making me bold.
And molding me, little tiny me, to be courageous.
He is singing to me,
"Don't carry this burden,
It's not yours to hold.
Come to Me, weary and burdened,
For light and easy is My yoke."

And..."if God is for us, who can be against us?"  Romans 8:31

Tomorrow morning, very early, I will head to the airport with my precious sister and my dear parents.  We will say goodbyes, and there will be tears.  Because I am sad to leave them.  But the tears will also be tears of joy.  Because God has given each of them, and God has given me, a peace that transcends all understanding.

I stand at the end of training.
And at the end of packing.
And at the end of my time at home in El Paso.
And at the end of goodbyes.

But, when I get on the plane tomorrow, I will be at the very beginning.

"All the days ordained for me were written in Your book before one of them came to be."  Psalm 139:116