Hello all!

Man, I can't believe there's only three weeks left until I leave for the greatest adventure of my life. Words cannot describe how excited I am. If I had been told at the beginning of this year that I'd be leaving for 9 months to serve our Lord and Savior, I probably wouldn't have believed it. If I had been told that my life would be transformed in ways I couldn't even imagine, I probably wouldn't have believed it. The fact that these things are happening shows me just how good God is.

It's been a long long wait. From signing up for the race, to boot camp, to now, it's felt like an eternity. Especially since I got back from boot camp. As soon as I got back I was attacked by the enemy. The first week I was back I was extremely depressed and sick. I couldn't believe I was back home after having the best time of my life. It felt like everything good inside me had been ripped away. Every day since then I'd wake up and want nothing more than to be with my squad, on the race, serving our Lord and Savior. 

But luckily, I have an incredible squad of people who helped bring me out of this depression. I read their messages a couple times every week and feel so grateful to have this amazing group of people who are there for me. If any of you guys are reading this, I love you all and can't wait to see you again.

These past few weeks I've been feeling so much better and I'm in a much better place emotionally and mentally than I was immediately after boot camp. At least once every day I feel the Holy Spirit with me, telling me everything's going to be alright. 

Lastly, I wanted to say thank you to everyone who's supported me, prayed for me, or donated. I wouldn't be able to go on this trip if it wasn't for you all and for that I'm forever grateful. I ask that you all continue to pray for me as these last few weeks at home come to a close.

Caleb.

"We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains if childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently" Romans 8:22-25.