almost ready to leave

I officially have only 4 full days left until I leave the country for 16 months. I am at once joyful and filled with excitement, but very sad and conflicted about leaving my family and friends for so long. The past week at home has been filled with attempts to reunite with friends I have not seen for a very long time and make sure to talk to and get together with all those close to me as much as possible. It has been such an important piece of my transition. And everyone I have talked to in the past three weeks that really knows me (you know who you are) have reassured me in the best of ways that this is where I am meant to be in my life. It's so cliche to say I am about to embark on an extremely life-changing experience, but it is true. And I embrace the chance to do so.

With the suitcases out of the attic, I am currently really beginning to pack after a few days of shopping for toiletries and other essentials I don't feel I can buy in Nicaragua (or at least selfishly would like as a comfort for the first few months). I have to make choices now about what I need to bring with me and what are those things that can really remind me of who I am and where I come from. I know from my travels in the past, especially when I was in Thailand, that there will be many days when I feel so alone and homesick. It's natural. I have too wonderful of a family and set of friends not to miss home. So I am consciously making sure to pack my "heart" as well as what I own in the next few days. (thanks to a friend for that reminder)

Tomorrow is my last day of church before I take off and I am so excited to talk to both of my pastors before I leave. I need to listen to their wisdom and hopefully receive their blessing for the journey I am about to start. I admire them both greatly and wish that I had been able to connect with them more before I left. Bottom line now: use these last few days to the fullest possible extent and appreciate the blessings I have and remember who I am and why I need to do this job. Wish me luck...