I week and couple hours from when this blog was written, I'll already be leaving my house to head to the airport for a 6am flight bound for Los Angeles, CA via Atlanta. A week from when this blog is being posted, I'll already be at LAX. It doesn't seem real… at all! These last several months have been utterly insane at times, super intense, amazing, horrible, refreshing, and truly life-changing… and I still have a week til I leave for LA with an extra few days before I'm bound for Guatemala. Have I mentioned that it just doesn't seem real?! b/c it doesn't, not really.
I've traveled a bunch for various things before, particularly in the last few years, but never to take on anything of this magnitude. For starters, I've def never traveled with just a hiking pack and small bag, much less for such a long period of time! In fact, a lil over a year and a half ago, I was bound for South Korea expecting to teach English for 6-7 months and not only packed waaaaaayyyyyy more than just 1-2 small bags, but the way things played out caused the majority of my stuff to never even be unpacked during the almost 7 weeks I was there. It was ridiculous and I brought it all for nothing! This packing situation now prob. seems ridiculous to most ppl as well, just on the other side of the scale. haha, simplicity is the key tho! and in reality, it actually makes most things in life (esp. packing/traveling) easier & less time-consuming. It might be frustrating or get old sometimes having only so many clothes to wear for nearly an entire year, but I think that'll be one of the things we'll quickly get used to since we'll all be in the same boat. On travel days in particular, it'll be refreshing to not have to lug so much stuff around! It'll take a lot of getting used to for me to be traveling thru airports with a group of ppl, much less such a large group b/c it's rarely more than me. That too is convenient tho b/c I won't necessarily have to constantly drag my bags around everywhere I go.
People constantly wanna know if I'm scared/worried, if I'm excited, if I still have a lot left to do, and what my plans look like both up until I leave and while I'm gone. The main emotion thus far has been just an overwhelming sense of surrealness & urgency… wanting to simultaneously speed up and slow down time… and also an excitement & openness about what lies ahead that I can't really explain. I know that a trip like this was made for me to take in order to help satisfy some of the desires that were sowed into the inner-most core of my being since the beginning of time! Are there certain things that I'm kinda worried or nervous about at this point, yeah… are the general "big" fears such as my overall safety, coming across super sketchy people, or random freak accidents an issue for me? honestly? not at all… I've been there, done that and gone here/there w/out any major incidence… just never quite on this scale before. (which basically means that several ppl close to me have worried/stressed more than enough for the both of us on plenty of occasions already) I've traveled clear cross S. Korea & Hong Kong by myself on several occasions while I was there (w/out a phone) with no fear, no problems, lots of fun, some interesting stories, and a bunch of cool people randomly met along the way… (and no, I'm not stupid, I know how toe safe & aware of my surrounding…) And during the course of this trip, even tho it's a lot longer and to a lot more places, I'M NEVER GOING TO BE ALONE!!!!! As my squadmate Renee said: "We're doing it together. And more importantly, we're doing it bc we were made for this so the way has been prepared for us!" So, to everyone back home, quit freaking out about it! 😉 even tho I know ur going to: THERE'S NO NEED TO WORRY!!!!! I basically have the heart of gypsy and life of a nomad! Traveling and helping ppl are both things that I just naturally do… it's basically been sewn into my DNA & that's never gonna change! As much as it drives ppl nuts sometimes, it's just the way it is for me. Late last week in fact, I was talking to a friend whose known about the trip since the beginning and her neighbor who didn't really know anything about it. After her neighbor left, we were still talking about it and the following convo took place:
"I only worry b/c I care about you."
"Yeah, I know… but I'll be fine."
"It's like that movie. Have u seen that movie 'Taken"'
"Yeah, I actually really like that movie! & saw it on tv not that long ago"
"Yeah, well that's gonna be you!"
"No it's not… It's about being smart and aware of ur surroundings. Plus, at least this time I'm never even gonna be alone… besides, the guys can be like our bodyguards, haha"
(for the record, this convo was the first of 3x I saw/heard this movie ref in less than a week. if u haven't seen it, it's about fighting against human trafficking which will also be one of our main ministries in Asia)
This trip / my nomadic heart doesn't in anyway mean that I won't miss people or wish that I could see them while I'm gone. Regardless of where I am, I'm always going to have pieces of my heart spread throughout various people & places that I can't be near. It's been that way since the sec. I left for college in 2004. In particular, part of my heart will always be in NJ, NC, Honduras, Korea, & with ppl that I've met thru those places that are now elsewhere. But, I know there's a time & season for everything… and right now, it's nearing the time to go into a season full of changes. Join me on this journey by following my blog & continuing to support me. Luv you guys!!!
