I bought my tickets! No, ticket. Singular.
Well, technically I have multiple tickets, because the first one gets me to Germany, where I’ll stay with friends for a week, and then I’ll have another ticket to get me to my final destination. But that’s beside the point.
It’s really happening. I’m actually leaving the country, and I don’t have a return ticket. It’s a little strange not knowing when I’ll be coming back.
There is a lot I still have to do before I leave. I have to continue my language study, become an expert in Office 365, and sort through my belongings and start packing.
But how do you pack for two years? What do I take, and what do I leave? How do I pack for all the moments that I’ll miss?
It’s finally sinking in that there is a lot that I’ll miss while I’m gone. Christmases, birthdays, weddings, a graduation, and who knows what else. I’ll miss my dad’s hugs, and breakfasts with my mom; spending time with my siblings, hanging out with friends, church, bible study, my volunteer colleagues. Maybe if I can cry it all out now I won’t cry when I board my plane.
On the other hand, there is so much I’ll be gaining. I’m launching into a career, I have teammates to get to know, I’ll be traveling a lot, I’ll make new friend. I will be doing good work for the advancement of the Kingdom.
I’m clinging to the words from Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” These words were spoken to the Israelites in exile. Now, I’m not being exiled, but I am leaving everything I know and love. So, I have to trust that God knows what He’s doing, why He called me and what’s in store for these next two years.