I depart for Qatar in 30 minutes.

I’m typing this while contorted into an odd stretch on the carpet at my gate, to minimize back pain on my over 13 hour flight to Qatar. After exploring Doha for a bit during my layover tomorrow I’ll jet off to the Himalayas. I can tell I’m right where I’m supposed to be because every song on my shuffle is hitting different, and half these songs are something my dad would love, not me. Like, “This Charming Man” by the Smiths? Never heard it before a day in my life. But I bet he has. (Love you, Dad.)

I can hardly believe this is happening. But I know it must, and that if I don’t do this now, I’ll wonder about it as a could-have-been for the rest of my life.

I’m not sure how frequently I’ll be able to update this blog, or if I’ll start something of the sort on a new platform (have y’all seen Epistle?). We’ll see!

How blessed am I to have such a community that it was painful to leave. How blessed am I to have a family that would gather the night before my departure to share a meal. To hold my precious darling niece and nephew and kiss their sweetie cheeks while the sun set over the lake. How blessed am I to have friends come see me off with prayers and tears! Thank you Lord for so much love. And I know I am going from this love here to the sweetest new love there. Thank you to my incredible friends, and my awesome Creatorrrrrr ❤ ❤ ❤ !!!!!

Prayer requests:

1. protection and savvy in navigating to my final destination, favor with everyone I encounter
2. sensitivity and obedience to the guidance of the Holy Spirit
3. pray for my friend Malachi, whose liver and kidneys need total restoration!