5 weeks. Are you kidding me? This can't be real life. I can't actually be moving to another country in 5 weeks.
Surprisingly, the big stuff hasn't really hit me-buying a (one-way) plane ticket, gathering documents for our visas, looking at different houses to live in. None of that seems to be affecting me much. It's the little things, things I never really thought about before that are making this very real to me, like saying good-bye to my dentist of 21 years, or trying to finish up that giant container of Nesquik that has been in my cabinet ever since I moved home. Every day brings something new that needs to be done before we leave, but each task makes my heart swell with more excitement.
Today I wanted to talk a little bit about dreams. I think we all have had different dreams throughout our lives. For me at different points in my life I wanted to be a famous actor, a marine biologist (just to swim with dolphins of course) and a witch in the world of Harry Potter. I realized later that I have no magical powers that I know of and definitely no acting abilities, but that didn't matter. All dreams are legitimate, even the ridiculous ones.
My parents were always so supportive of my dreams. One day my dad came home from work with a "magic wand" (a stick filled with glitter) so I could reenact scenes from Harry Potter (I can't believe I just admitted that-please tell me I'm not the only dork who did this). He probably doesn't remember that, but it's something I will never forget. As silly as that dream was, it meant everything to me that he cared about what I cared about.
Then in 8th grade I got the strange urge to try out for the traveling basketball team. By some miracle (or lack of competition) I made the team, and my parents spent that winter driving me to games sometimes over an hour away, just to watch me sit on a bench. They never complained about taking me, and they never told me that my dream of being a basketball star was unrealistic (although it wasn't hard for me to figure that one out for myself). I got to wear cool shoes and I had a terrific time keeping that bench warm, and that's all that mattered.
And then when I was 15 I got the even stranger urge to move to another country to try to make a difference in other people's lives. And my parents decided to support me in the craziest way possible-by going with me. And while on paper the idea of living with your parents for the foreseeable future doesn't sound very glamorous, I don't know what I would have done without them in this process. They are helping me make my dreams come true.
I have met a lot of dreamers in the Dominican Republic. Life is hard there for a lot of people, and many of them dream of having different lives. The majority of them dream of making their country a better place. There are so many dreams: to be a doctor, teacher, nurse, interpreter, pastor, musician, businessman. To be a better father or mother to their children, or a better son or daughter to their parents. And just because they may not have the right resources or opportunities to reach these dreams doesn't make them any less legitimate. I have met a handful of people who would turn the world upside down if they just had the chance, and I'm sure I will meet many more.
Now it's my turn to be supportive of their dreams, just like people have been supportive of mine.
This doesn't mean I can give them everything they need to make their dreams come true. Even if my parents wanted to they couldn't make me a basketball star or get me accepted into Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. And they won't be able to make be a perfect missionary. But I know they are always there, cheering me on and picking me up when I fall.
My dear friends, I promise to always be your #1 fan. I promise no matter what happens I won't give up on you. I will always be on the sidelines cheering you on as you fight for your dreams. And I promise to help you in any way I can so we can make our dreams come true together.
So here's to the dreamers. Here's to the ones who dare to imagine a different world, and who are willing to fight to make a change. I see your struggle, but more importantly, God sees your struggle. Let's continue to lean on Him, because He is the ultimate dream-giver and dream-achiever.
To Him be the glory. And may all your dreams come true.
