One Month To Go

Wow. I can't believe it, but time has flown and one month from today I leave for Albania. Wow!

It really sunk in the other day when we received our flight confirmations. Honestly, I don't know how to explain this part, so I'm sorry if you don't completely understand, but it was one thing to know this is real and it's happening, but it's completely another thing to see dates and times and places confirmed on paper. For me, that was the moment when it truly hit home that this is happening.

Don't get me wrong, I've been preparing for awhile now. I've taken a few language lessons with Josh, who spent a year there doing the same thing I will be doing. I've found people to take over my apartment when I leave so I won't break my lease. I've gone to doctor's appointments to make sure I'm healthy. I went to the Missionary Orientation at Wisconsin Lutheran Child and Family Service. I've packed some of my things for storage already. I got a passport. I'm enrolled in a TEFL Online class so I have certification before I leave. I sold my bedroom set. This has been an ongoing process and there is still more to be done. I have to sell my car. I have to figure out how to pack for an entire year and still meet airline requirements. (If you have any tips on that, please, let me know!) I have to pack and move all of my belongings that will be stored. I have to get immunizations. I have to turn in my two week notice at work. I have to set up an international bank account. But seeing everything, especially the flight arrangements, laid out on paper made this real.

Despite my excitement and enthusiasm my nerves are starting to set in. Mostly though, there's one thing I am most certainly NOT looking forward to--departure day. I know that sounds strange, right? That's fine with me if you think it's strange. Without a doubt though, I am not looking forward to that day. I will be a roller coaster.

We leave from Chicago at 5:30pm CST. I will wake up that day and as I pack the last of my things and load the car with my family I'll just be thinking, "Oh man. In x hours we leave for Chicago." Then when we leave, I'll be thinking, "Yikes! In x hours I'll be at the airport." Then we'll be at the airport and I'll be thinking, "Oh no! In x minutes I have to say good bye. To my family. For a year." And then that time will come and I will be that person. You know, the one who is crying and making a scene at the airport even though they're not trying to make a scene. It won't be loud and boisterous, but it will be obvious that something overwhelming is going on. Then, after I've said goodbyes, we'll go through security and we'll have to wait at our gate for awhile. This will be pure torture. I will have to be sitting there, knowing that my family is just lots of yards away in the same building but I can't see them or talk to them.

Once we're on board the plane, I will get nervous about take off. Although I don't have a fear of flying, I don't exactly understand how planes work, so they me a little nervous. (Plus, when you're that high in the air, if something bad happens, there is nothing to protect you. But let's not think about that...) I hope that once we take off, I'll stop crying somewhere within the first 2 hours of the flight. Then maybe I'll be able to talk with Emily, calm down, and eventually fall asleep.

That's pretty much where my thought process is on all of this right now. I'm excited, but I'm so nervous about saying goodbye on the big day. I think about it and get teary eyed. Part of me thinks that if I cry now, I won't cry on that day but my common sense tells me that's not true. The water works will be open for business. In fact, the flood gates will be open and it might be a catastrophe that has never before been seen. ;) Hopefully it will only be sad and not traumatic.

At the same time, it really is amazing looking at how God has worked all of this out. It's all falling into place, despite little bumps and potholes along they way. No road for a sinful human being is perfectly paved. God has been guiding this from the start and has put me in this incredible situation. When I'm sad at the airport that day, I think he will be looking down on me from heaven with a loving smile on his face, saying, "Katie, Katie, Katie. The best is yet to come." And you know what? That's exactly the truth. And you know what? His Son and his angels will be guarding, protecting, and guiding me every step of the way.