make new friends, but keep the old, one is silver and the other gold

Is it really time to start my goodbyes?

I feel like it was just yesterday that I decided to move to Kenya…and here I am, ten days away from actually leaving.

Goodbyes are hard.  Not because you won’t see that person again, but because you just love that person so much.  As I was driving out of the JFW parking lot yesterday, having completed my last day at the office, I just started crying because I was so sad to conclude that particular chapter of my life.  But, then I realized that my tears were a positive thing, because they revealed the investment that was made over the last year: time, energy, friendships, skill-sets, new knowledge, and so much more.

This helped me to rejoice in the grace that God has provided to me this year to “be all there” (at JFW and in my care-group) and to have lived out each day with whole-hearted vision.

This is how I want to live at RVA.  Jim Elliot says, “Wherever you are, be all there; live to the hilt of every situation.”  This is my aim.  This is my goal.  I HOPE there will be tears on the other end of this journey–tears of love and friendship and memories and joys and heartaches and humor and prayer shared with the people I will meet in just two weeks’ time.

Here are a few pictures of the goodbyes that have already been made:

KUMMER TEAM @ JFW, JULY 31:

Danny, me, and “Coach K” getting ready to “Cage-Fight” (aka dealing w/ clients)

GIRLS “OUT OF AFRICA” MOVIE NIGHT, JULY 31:

Top Row, from left:

Michelle Cho, Lauren Lotinsky, Johannah Groveman, Elise Mays, Pami Ramos-Lotinsky, and Britt McKenna

Bottom Row, from left: Chavia Groveman, me, Bethany Bussell, and Stephanie Cooper

Us girls got together last Friday night to watch the 1985 classic, “Out of Africa” with Robert Redford and Meryl Streep.  It was very romantic and showed amazing landscapes of Kenya, which made me very excited.

CARE-GROUP BBQ, AUGUST 1

Meet my Care-group, with whom I have met every Tuesday night for the past year to study God’s Word together, pray, share struggles and trials, encourage one another, and hang out.  They have been a huge blessing in my life and I will thoroughly miss them all!

WHAT’S UP FOR THE NEXT TEN DAYS?

Rest and Pack during the daytime, Play at Night 🙂

Last Caregroup Ladies Meeting, Tonight

Cousins Dinner at Mongolian BBQ, Wednesday

Stay home, Thursday

Legg Mason Tennis Classic Tournament with Peter to see Andy Roddick play, Friday

Family Dinner at Ruth-Chris Steakhouse, Saturday

Last time going to Church at CLC & Family night at Home, Sunday

Movie Night with Mom to see “Julie and Julia”, Monday

Family Going-Away Pizza Party, Tuesday

Jammin Java Concert, Wednesday

Stay Home, Thursday

Fly to Africa, Friday, August 14!!