10 DAYS

These next 10 days will probably be the quickest of my life (or maybe the slowest)....and have I started packing yet? To be honest, not really. If having my suitcase out on the floor in my bedroom, a pile next to it, and a list in my head counts, then yes, I totally have...but i doubt it does. So yeah, I should probably get on that....considering I leave in 10 days, and I'm sure everyone else has been packed for the last month. Oh, and the fact that I'm packing for 27 months, not a 7 day family trip to Florida.

If you've known me for more than 5 minutes, then you've probably come to the conclusion that my emotions are on steriods. I get excited about the things that others may think are ordinary, I laugh at jokes that probably aren't all that funny...because laughing is good for you, and when I'm sad I just want to be in a huge cuddle puddle with a bunch of people that love me. However, I don't really cry. At least not a lot, or in front of people. If I do cry it's normally in my car, where I'm alone, and I can let the music make me feel better. But, if you've seen me lately, then you probably think that last statement is a load of BS. Because lately, I've cried. I've cried a lot. Good, passionate, cries that release all of the emotion that my body has been feeling. And it feels good. Really good.

In 10 days I'm about to leave the people who I love the most. And because I know this, the past month has been the hardest for me as I often wonder, "when will I see this person next." But the fact is, I will see the people who understand why I am going to Malawi in the first place, and who love me enough to support me through this journey, again. Goodbyes don't have to be forever, and these goodbyes are not. I am truly blessed that God has placed people in my life that make saying goodbye so hard in the first place. So thank you if you are one of those people, you know who you are, because you have made my world a better place.

And then there's the other side of my emotions, the HOLY CRAP I LEAVE FOR MALAWI IN 10 DAYS emotion! The excitement and craving for a new adventure that makes me want to have a 30 second dance party. The "knowing" that I have, that I am following a calling from God, the calling He has for me. The thought that I get to meet so many new and free spirited people, who have a similar purpose in life, and who will be my friends for the next two years, and I imagine way beyond that. The emotion of curious anxiety, with the thoughts of how I will be living for the next two years....most likely without running water, electricity, and a reliable wifi connection. All of these emotions overwhelm me more than thinking about leaving my friends and family behind. But overwhelm me with a positive light, as I know that this is what my next journey in life should be.

#peacecorps