onward.

It is 3:21 and I am still in San Diego.

My flights have been switched, and I will be waiting in the San Diego airport for close to 6 hours by the time I finally take off. San Diego to LA, LA to London, London to Uganda.

But it's ok. It gives me more time to soak up this fact: I am going to Uganda.

I remember the last time I was waiting at an airport like this. I was waiting, amongst the business men and women, sandy, dirty, and smelly from a trip through Neverland with my best of friends. Now, I am waiting amongst these same business men and women, but clean, hopefully not smelly, and headed to a different home.

Joel P West flows through my earphones, and I am reminded of all the times I have listened to his songs before. The times I have been in San Diego with Invisible Children, back at Northwestern, and especially the time on tour. This particular song, my dearest Suzi sang with him. And I remember her glowing as she had us listen to it the first time. Joel really does provide the soundtrack to life.

This adventure is so different. It is so surreal. I am going to Uganda. After three years of working with Invisible Children, I am going to set foot in this beautiful land in less than two days. I am going to be working toward a different sort of goal that I was with Invisible Children, but one that is just as important and equally as beautiful.

I go to Uganda alone. I travel with my backpack, book, and pictures of a life I have lived. I reflect on how I got here, and how I will be different when I set foot back in southern California. I don't know who I will be in six weeks' time. I am waiting, hoping, and praying for me to emerge and grow through this time.

So in less than two hours, I will finally - finally - be going. The past three weeks or so have been a whirlwind, but somehow I have felt peace through it all. I can't believe I am actually here .. the fear that has ruled my life for 22 years is finally subsiding, and I am breaking through to be here now. I am learning to trust .. because I have to trust that His timing is perfect, that He has a plan, and that I am going to be used.

So I thank you, dearest ones, for coming here. For reading this. For supporting me in whatever way you have. Because I don't say it enough, I am going to say it now: I love each one of you, so much. Whether we have traveled together in the past, laughed together at anything, have exchanged stories and hugs, or simply have found each other online, I cannot thank you enough for the impact you have had on my life. I will never, ever be the same because of you.

I keep listening to Joel. I let my cell phone die. I am relaxing my hold to this western world. And in a matter of hours, I will be on the other side of this world, doing who knows what. And all I am asking is to be used ..

I love you. So much. And I cannot wait to be reunited soon. My heart is with all you roadies out there .. blow the road a kiss for me and dance in the freedom it offers. And another part of my heart rests with my family in Iowa, my friends in California, Seattle, and the midwest.

onward in peace and hope, and of course, Love.
kristin.

p.s. if you have skype, please add me (kristin.lorey). Then we can chat. :)
p.p.s. if you ever get bored, I love updates. email me (kristin.lorey@gmail.com, or kristininthesky@gmail.com. Take your pick.)

what more than is there but love? love is everything. teach me to be love. make it all that i am.
[that's you, alex. thanks.]