Tricia's flying over the ocean today. It hasn't quite sunk in yet that she will be gone for an entire year. I mean I have done a lot of traveling the past year so we have been apart for weeks at a time. She has only been gone 6 days, but in those 6 days there have been several times when I wanted to tell her something or one of our quirks have sparked a memory. Even now as I type this the tears are starting to come to my eyes.
As I drove her to the airport on Monday we had a chance to talk and say goodbye... I told her how I couldn't be sad that she was leaving because it would be selfish of me. This is clearly where the Lord is leading her and I know that this is her time to go. She and I have been friends for umm pretty much EVER and there are very few memories I have that do not include her. She is my 7th sister and my best friend. I think if anything this year apart will make our friendship even stronger. We have been through so much and have been to points where we didn't think our friendship would survive, but by the grace of God and His faithfulness we are still sojourners throughs this place we call earth side by side through the rough and calm waters.
As I hugged her goodbye for the final time I said, "Tricia, I am sooo proud of you." She responded, "Karoline, I am proud of you too." I was quite confused and asked, "Why are you proud of me?" I will never forget this as long as I live..... She replied, "Because you are teaching in the ghetto." It's nice to know she is proud of me :) As I watched her walk through security I prayed that God would keep her safe and protect her, that He would encompass her with His love and that her team would bond and be each other's family for this year.
I remember when she left for college, I cried and cried that first night she was there. She was only an hour away, but it felt like zillions of hours. Now my dear friend is across the ocean and halfway around the world. Not a day will go by that I won't be reminded of her and I am thankful for that because that is God's way of nudging my heart to pray for her and lift her up. Though it may seem a little corny the words to this song ring true,
Did you ever know that you're my hero
You're everything, everything I wish I could be
I can fly higher than an eagle for you are the wind beneath my wings
Thank God for you the wind beneath my wings
Lucy and Ethel ain't got nothing on us babe!!
Today in church this verse really spoke to me:
"Now I urge you, brethren, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers to God for me." Romans 15:30
This is what Tricia needs for us to do and I don't want to let her down.
She has made it safely on her first leg of the journey from Colorado to California and in just a few minutes she will be embarking yet again and I will rest easier when I know she has safely landed. I covet your prayers for her!
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