Excited

 

In a few minutes, I'll recheck my suitcase again.
In a few hours, I'll be headed to the airport.
In a few days, I'll be in Cameroon coping with jet lag and culture shock.
Right now, I am so excited.

And honestly, it's a relief because the past few weeks have been a little bit of a roller coaster. Ever since packing up my life at Hope I've been stuck in this weird in-between place, like a drawn out foreword that I would have liked to skip over. I'm anxiously waiting to leave and at the same time nervously wondering what I will find. I can't wait to go somewhere new, but its bittersweet to hear about what's already happening back on campus. I know I will build new relationships, but I'm still missing out on time with a lot of pretty fantastic friends (you know who you are.)


Fortunately, I got some really great advice from someone who knows a little bit about living cross-culturally. She reminded me that it actually makes sense to have butterflies when you exchange home for someplace unknown, but as soon as the plane touches down questions start to get answered, things you wondered about become clear, and a new sense of belonging begins to grow.


I have also been really encouraged by all of the people who have checked out this blog and asked about the trip or made time to skype before I go. Hearing from all of you has been the best way to wrap up my time at home and the perfect send-off to Cameroon. 


Not sure exactly how soon I'll be able to post again, but it should be a good one.