Expectation number one. This, is going to be hard.
two. Plans will change. All the time. And I’m going to have to get over it.
three. Life will not be the same when I return.
four. God is going to show up in big ways…BIG ways.
five. I will learn to love rice and beans….and peanut butter. I really will.
six. I will get sick and want my mom.
seven. I will long for western civilization.
eight. I will witness 330 amazing night skies.
nine. I will never want to leave some countries, and will be happy to do so with others.
ten. I will say goodbye in 11 different languages. To family, to friends, and to pieces of myself that have got to go.
eleven. I will be an expert blogger by the time I step foot back in the U.S.
twelve. I will fall more deeply in love with my Savior.
thirteen. I will use an endless amount of wet wipes, and never really feel clean.
fourteen. I will cry. For good and bad reasons.
fifteen. I will feel helpless.
sixteen. I will have to trust. Trust that God is good, all the time.
seventeen. I will develop an abnormal fondness for steaming hot Coke, because I will need a break from steaming hot water that’s been in my water bottle for three days.
eighteen. I will give my parents anxiety. Probably.
nineteen. I will be on my knees in prayer more than I’ve ever been in my life.
twenty. I will have my expectations exceeded, met, and turned upside down (really hoping this is the case for 18).
Hard. Change. Sameness. Big. Love. Want. Longing. Witness. Leaving. Goodbyes. Blogs. Falling. Wet Wipes. Crying. Helpless. Trust. Goodness. Fondness. Anxiety. Prayer. Expectations.
Expectations. We all have them, and we all try to go in with none. But that’s impossible for me. I draw from experience and some of these (like two and seventeen) I’ve experienced. Yet, I don’t cling to my expectations. I accept that I have them, but I won’t be looking at this list at the end of my time abroad and be checking them off. Some are funny, some are serious, and some will definitely happen. God will bring what He will bring. And that’s my ultimate expectation.
