Leaving is always so bittersweet and I have become accustomed to being abnormally emotional on the day of departure. Leaving my littlest siblings hurts a little more each time I leave. With one sister becoming engaged over Christmas break and the twins growing up so fast, I am reminded just how quickly time flies. The oldest sibling guilt is inevitable.

As I was dropped off at the airport at 3am and hugged the twin’s goodbye, Cody held on a little extra tighter and a little extra longer and said, “See you in a few months, Kaytlin”. All the tears I had worked hard to keep back streamed down my face.

A few months is all it takes for significant change to occur.

I fully realize that many things within my family are changing, dynamics are shifting, and I just haven’t been around to observe and adjust. Each time I go back, it’s a little farther and a little more different from the family I once left a couple of years ago.

It’s simply a bittersweet adjustment. A sacrifice I don’t take lightly.

Leaving is always hard as the comforts of home and familiarity things threaten to drag my attention away from the place God has called me to, but as soon as that plane touches down on Dominican soil, it’s “go time” and I’m all in.

My heart is truly so incredibly happy to be back. The peace and fulfillment this place bring my soul immediately causes any doubt or anxiety to immediately disappear. My heart is just constantly filled with gratitude for the opportunity to be a learner and disciple in this beautiful land with these beautiful people.

I chose to arrive a couple of days before the Global Bridge came in order to settle in, to be well rested and to start preparing for the spring semester and I’m so glad I did. Taking a couple of rest days to spend in prayer and scripture before the craziness of ministry started back up was extremely refreshing to my soul.

All of the girls arrived on Thursday after many flight delays and cancellations due to the ominous FAA system outage caused all flights in the US to be grounded until the computer malfunction was resolved. The fact that they arrived at all was an answer to many people praying. They were all quite exhausted and slightly overwhelmed by the flight chaos, so it has been nice to be able to spend a slow day catching up with each of them about their time over break as they rest and recover before we dove into Re-Entry Orientation. These girls truly, truly bless my heart and I am so grateful that I get to be a small part of their lives this next semester. WHAT A GIFT. I cannot express my love for these girls adequately. The Lord handpicked each of them to be here for a very special purpose and it’s such a beautiful thing to watch unfold.

Prayers are so appreciated that as our group starts back up in ministry sites next week, that we would remain healthy and that joy and peace would overflow out of us, onto the people we serve. Our souls have been renewed and replenished through our time of rest and I am praying that through the work of Christ we are able to sustain the same joy and peace that we have.

For all the precious people who have messaged me to give words of encouragement and prayer… THANK YOU. doesn’t suffice. Ya’ll are the backbone to the work being done in me and through me.