As my last blog stated I received my visa less than 24 hours before walking out my parents front door. My last night at home was busy with packing and family stopping by (which I loved)!
I did decide to try and sleep for a little bit before leaving, even though I would have been able to keep myself busy. When I started to feel sick from lack of sleep and stressing over making sure that everything was completed I decided I needed to relax and try to get some sleep.
As it turned out, just as I was nicely falling asleep it was time to wake up...of course I wasn't ready for that but I made myself roll out of bed anyway. Once I was up I didn't feel any better and apparently I didn't look to good either because I was asked "are you okay?" Before getting in the car I took a couple Dramamine to help with the nausea and dizziness plus it makes me sleepy. I crawled into the backseat with a pillow and blanket and went to sleep while my parents drove me to the airport.
During this drive, I was told that they stopped twice to pick up something that I forgot to get earlier...and then they also had to stop for a traffic jam. I was out for all of this. Sleep was amazing!!!
After getting check in I said goodbye to my parents, went through security and then on to my departing gate. We boarded, and then got the joyous pleasure of waiting on the Tarmac for another 15 minutes because Newark was behind.
Made it to Newark, and had a couple hours to hang out. Well, they weren't willing to give me free Internet service so I opted to do some journaling. While sitting there writing I started thinking, crazy how that happens. Anyway, I started to realize some things.
One, I think part of the reason I wasn't feeling so good before leaving was actually more nerves than I wanted to admit. I left Lancaster and all my friends, my support networks and normal routines to move up for an unknown amount of time, to pursue a completely new opportunity with lots of unknown factors. I think with all that I've gotten myself so worked up and stressed out about trying to figure out all the what ifs...it's not like I'll be back in 2 weeks.
While I was thinking about all that I started praying for peace in my heart and mind, during this whole process of applying, and raising both prayer and financial support, while waiting for last minute paperwork to arrive God has shown me His faithfulness.
What I don't understand about myself is how do I for get that so quickly? Instead of trusting Him I'm worried about what I can't control.
Through all the stress and worry, I made it safely to my destination with my luggage. My last flight from Germany to Congo had 20-30 new Mercy Shippers including myself. It was fun because we all started to meet each other before we ever arrived at the ship.
Today is full of orientation and preparation for screening day (which will be explained at a later time). My goal is to work on another update this evening after orientation and share some of my first impressions, what is happening and of course a picture or two! :)
I did decide to try and sleep for a little bit before leaving, even though I would have been able to keep myself busy. When I started to feel sick from lack of sleep and stressing over making sure that everything was completed I decided I needed to relax and try to get some sleep.
As it turned out, just as I was nicely falling asleep it was time to wake up...of course I wasn't ready for that but I made myself roll out of bed anyway. Once I was up I didn't feel any better and apparently I didn't look to good either because I was asked "are you okay?" Before getting in the car I took a couple Dramamine to help with the nausea and dizziness plus it makes me sleepy. I crawled into the backseat with a pillow and blanket and went to sleep while my parents drove me to the airport.
During this drive, I was told that they stopped twice to pick up something that I forgot to get earlier...and then they also had to stop for a traffic jam. I was out for all of this. Sleep was amazing!!!
After getting check in I said goodbye to my parents, went through security and then on to my departing gate. We boarded, and then got the joyous pleasure of waiting on the Tarmac for another 15 minutes because Newark was behind.
Made it to Newark, and had a couple hours to hang out. Well, they weren't willing to give me free Internet service so I opted to do some journaling. While sitting there writing I started thinking, crazy how that happens. Anyway, I started to realize some things.
One, I think part of the reason I wasn't feeling so good before leaving was actually more nerves than I wanted to admit. I left Lancaster and all my friends, my support networks and normal routines to move up for an unknown amount of time, to pursue a completely new opportunity with lots of unknown factors. I think with all that I've gotten myself so worked up and stressed out about trying to figure out all the what ifs...it's not like I'll be back in 2 weeks.
While I was thinking about all that I started praying for peace in my heart and mind, during this whole process of applying, and raising both prayer and financial support, while waiting for last minute paperwork to arrive God has shown me His faithfulness.
What I don't understand about myself is how do I for get that so quickly? Instead of trusting Him I'm worried about what I can't control.
Through all the stress and worry, I made it safely to my destination with my luggage. My last flight from Germany to Congo had 20-30 new Mercy Shippers including myself. It was fun because we all started to meet each other before we ever arrived at the ship.
Today is full of orientation and preparation for screening day (which will be explained at a later time). My goal is to work on another update this evening after orientation and share some of my first impressions, what is happening and of course a picture or two! :)
Thanks for posting. Nice to hear you made it there - seems quite uneventful... you must be a travel pro through planes by now with all your mis-adventures in international travel.. he he he... it was only preparation. Hope you have a great time and will be praying for you.
ReplyDeletehe he he... start a 'prison calendar' and mark off the days you manage to do without bananas or chicken... that would be fun to see.
hugs
-bubbleII
I arrived Saturday evening and Monday evening for dinner there was chicken and I ate a piece even when there were other options such as a peanut butter sandwich. :)
Delete