When thinking of all the “material possessions” I would have to give up for this trip, I thought mainly thought of the fact that I would be living out of a backpack for a year (and thought “oh I can do that!!), but forgot about the everyday conveniences I would be giving up.
 

Sunday, one of the cylinders of my engine lost pressure. This left me carless (or just scared to drive my car around because it is on its last leg) and relying on friends to bum rides. 
my old car (ish) 🙁

 
Fun? NO, sir. I have little attachment toward my ACTUAL car, and don’t worship it as if it is an idol or consider that a problem, but today when I reserved a rental at Avis, I got VERY excited. Why?!
 
Why does this simple luxury of driving have so much control over my emotions, as if it determines my mood for the day?
 
These possessions and conveniences should not have that power of my mind. I can’t even imagine how I would FEEL if my computer broke, my ipod didnt work, my car was nonexistent, my sunglasses were lost, etc all in one DAY. This is rediculous because that will happen on the race. Although they are hassles, I must CHOOSE to KNOW I have solid JOY in my Maker that will never leave me. And I must begin to let go of those things that don’t matter, such as being stuck at the library because I don’t have a ride home. God, I know you were providing me hours in which I could work my neverending pile of assignments, but I chose to let the fact that I didn’t have a car have control over my emotions. Bad idea. Sorry, don’t give up on me God.