peace out

The day has come. And as I sit here, in my living room in Seattle, words cannot express the fullness of my heart. The past few weeks have absolutely rocked my world. God has showed up time and time again through the generosity of so many of you. Whether it be an encouraging note, a word of wisdom, a cup of coffee, a financial pledge...I have felt completely surrounded by love and support. As I was describing the past few weeks to a friend, I told her how I don’t feel like I am going to Vietnam alone...and I am not referring to the others from APU. The amount of support and encouragement that I have received has been a clear message to me that I am a part of a team...I am not entering into the next two years by myself. It is an amazing feeling.

I was describing all the happenings of the past few weeks to yet another friend and she asked me “Kaitlyn, are you writing all these stories down?” I said that it hadn’t even occurred to me but that I would soon remedy that! It was funny because the next friends that I talked to both asked me the same question. The power of the stories...the power of the support and generosity behind the stories is completely evident to everyone that I tell! I think it is important for me to write them down so that I can come back to them in a time of need and/or a time of doubt. So...it is on my to-do list for the 20+ hours I will have on the plane. Needless to say, I think I will get it done :)

I could write so much more but I have a few more things that need to get done in the next hour before I leave for the airport! So, just wanted to say thanks to all my teammates!

I would ask for prayer in the next few hours as many “see you laters” will have to be said. It is a weird/exciting/sad/exhilirating time. I feel like my emotions are being pulled in all directions. My specific prayer requests would be this:

• for safe travels
• for peace of mind and heart. I haven’t really felt fearful about the trip...which I thought was kind of weird. I haven’t realized till just recently that my fears have taken the form of all the “what-if”s of leaving friends and family.
• for the ability to sleep on the multiple planes that we will be taking! 20+ hours is long no matter what...but if I am unable to sleep, it will seem like eternity!

And...I am off!

Grace and peace,

Kaitlyn