Is This Real Life?

As I sit here in my air conditioned house, on my big, comfy, brown couch, things are getting real.  Only one more day in Greenfield. One more day to say goodbye to people.  One more day to enjoy the luxuries of washing machines, dish washers, air conditioners, heaters, unlimited electricity and water access.  One more day of playing with Snuggles and Cuddles.  One more day of hanging out with Chip.  One more day of driving to the bank, then Sonic.  One more meal at El Vallarta. One more dinner around the kitchen table.  One more day of throwing Gato out of my room.  One more day at home. 

With all this, it also means six more days of family time.  Six more days in extreme Florida heat.  Six more days with my sister and her family.  Six more days of being spoiled rotten on vacation.  Six more days of 9 people sharing 2 bathrooms.  Six more days at a pool (finally!). 

And then, a year of adventure.   A year apart from my family. A year apart from Brucey.  A year apart from my friends.  A year without late night chats at Drew and Bethany's. A year financially dependent on others. A year away from America.  A year of new friendships, new foods, new places. A year without sweet tea.  A year re-building past relationships.  A year of intense Spanish. 
A year of challenges. A year of excitement and joy. A year of sadness and anxiety. A year of compassion. A year of trusting the Lord. A year of Him being my strength.  A year drawing near to Him, sharing Him, leaning on Him for everything.  A year of miracles.  A year of heart changes.  A year of love. A year of grace. A year of faith. A year of dependence.  A year of beauty.  A year simply basking in the arms of my Savior, and doing anything I can to make much of Him.  A year of praise. 



As I reflect this week, many things enter my crazy mind.  This journey that I am about to embark on, that I am called to do, is going to be life changing.  I remember leaving for college thinking "everything is about to change".  The same is true when I left for Peru in 2009: "Life itself is going to be different after this".  While this is a terrifying thought, because we all love the comfortable side of life, I can't help but look at the big picture, that we are all called to something.  God has given us all specific talents and desires of the heart that He knows will bring all the glory to Him.  This involves change, the different, the unknown.  Following the Lord isn't easy, or necessarily fun all the time.  It's difficult and scary.  Frankly, I'm scared to death of getting on that plane on the 16th, but I know the Lord's got me in His big ole hands, and He is not going to let me go.  I pray that I don't forget that, and that this next year God will break me to pieces and build me back up to be stronger in Him. 

If you're reading this, I covet your prayers.  I covet the prayers of everyone you know.  I need you all. In return, I promise to keep you updated on what the Lord is doing in Peru.  For those who don't like to read, I promise to upload pictures when possible.  :)

Let's do this.