Yesterday, after much packing and squeezing and puzzling on how to get everything into my car, I left Ellerslie. I was really looking forward to it for a while, because the itch for adventure was taking over. I was ready to experience new things, to see what was going to come next, to hit the road and just see what happened. Leaving sounded good. But then, when it actually came time to leave, and I realized I'd never live on the Ellerslie campus with all of those people again.... Well it was hard.
There are a thousand things I'm going to miss....
I pulled out of the Ellerslie parking lot and I cried and cried. And cried. Which surprised me, because I really didn't think I would. Just like I didn't think I'd cry on stage in front of lots of people while talking about our very first Revival Week. Ha.
I cried all the way to Longmont, while blasting the His Little Feet cd in my car. And it felt good, because I wanted to know that it was real and that I was really leaving and that things wouldn't be the same. I wanted to feel the sting of missing them, and the pain of knowing that it was the last time I would ever see those precious, lovable Haitian children who will forever have a special place in my heart. They go back to Haiti next week, and I never thought I'd love them as much as I do.
Things won't ever be the same again. Ever.
But then as I said goodbye to one chapter and prepared for the next, there was peace. Peace because I have Jesus, and that's one thing that will never change. He's my rock, and with Him I can handle any goodbye, because I'll never say goodbye to Him.
I could write so many words about how much these people mean to me, how much I love them and how they've become a much more special part of my life than I could ever express.... But I can't express it so I don't think I'm going to try right now. Maybe another day, maybe not.
Life is good, and I'm ready for the next adventure.
I MISSED SAYING GOODBYE TO YOU!!!!! Siiiigh. I wept. I MISS you! Love you so much, Kelsey. Keep in touch! And I want to come to Paris to visit you.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful post, Kelsey. If leaving Ellerslie after the first 11 weeks was difficult, I can't even imagine the anguish in leaving it after a year. Ellerslie is home to us all. It's so beautiful to hear your heart as He closes this chapter of your life and prepares you for the next.
ReplyDeleteLord bless you, sister!
Oh, my heart's sister. I totally relate to this post. Im not surprised you cried as much as you did (though you aren't prone to cry). The way you were able to comfort me the final days of my last semester at Ellerslie... you love deeply which means you'll mourn fully too. Its beautiful to even be able to savor the bittersweetness in life. :) This is the great adventure: life with Jesus. :) Love you so much!
ReplyDeleteoh my dear girl. . .
ReplyDeleteIt was *hard* saying goodbye to you, crazy hard. But exciting too, knowing that you are following after your Jesus with your whole heart. I'm so looking forward to hearing how He leads and orchestrates this next season of your life.
{this comment is getting so long, I probably should have just emailed!}