Today is the Day

     Today is the day! I cannot believe how fast this day has come. It seemed like only a few months ago I was dreaming of what is to come and now those dreams are becoming a reality. Sixty days ago I started the aggressive countdown. Fifty days, forty days, thirty, twenty, and ten. My excitement has exploded tenfold in the last week.
     My last night of work was over a week ago and now it seems like it was last month. I remember having a wonderful night filled with laughs, food, and fun. It was a funny thing, that last night. Not only was it my time to leave, it was time for another nurse to leave as well. She and I have been going at this nursing thing long before we were ever hired at Swedish American. We went to the same colleges, graduated in the same class, were hired at the same time on the same floor, and left at the same time. It was rather poetic. She moved to another area of the hospital and I am leaving for the Congo. As I cleaned out my locker and said my last goodbyes, a bittersweet feeling welled up inside my chest. This would be the last time I would see these people for a very long time. I wish the best of luck to them as they continue to work for such an amazing hospital and continue to care for those who need it in our community.
     Once I was done working my last night shift, I transitioned myself into a normal day life routine. What a difference that made! I never realized how much working night shift can change someone. There are some who are meant to work nights. God bless you! But I can only speak for myself when I say I am 'me' when I am on a day routine. A week before my last shift, I got coffee with a dear redheaded friend of mine. She mentioned something in our conversation that I cannot get out of my head. We are not ourselves when we are in stressful situations. I can say that I have not been myself for a while and that is disheartening. Ever since I shifted my body into a normal biological rhythm, life has been happier.
     All last week I set up lunch, coffee, and dinner dates with everyone I had wanted to say goodbye to. Of course there were people I missed and I wish I could have had a more meaningful goodbye, but that is the way things go in life. We can only play the cards we are dealt, hope for the best, and pray for victory. At every one of those meetings I talked about everything under the sun about my trip, what I will be doing, and when I will be back. People care and that's why they ask. Thank you. I did not feel sad or blue whenever I said goodbye. The reality of the situation had not settled inside my spirit yet. I was running on excitement and adrenaline.
     Then on Sunday we had my going away party. We had over seventy people walk through our home and give their blessings and prayers for my trip. I had my poster board set up with all the nitty-gritty details of Mercy Ships. As people meandered through the house, they would find themselves in the kitchen which was filled with fruit, vegetables, cupcakes, meatballs, and even penguin-shaped cheese crackers. Celebrating brave decisions reinforces the need to make more of those kinds of choices. We wrapped up the party and my sister and I whisked ourselves away to a distant land called Machesney Park for Lifegroup. The guy leader of the group had asked me to share about my trip and anything that may be on my heart. I spoke on something I was pondering about on the ride up. What defines a person who chooses a career in the mission field? What characteristics make a good missionary? Who is a missionary? As I mulled these thoughts over I came to one simple conclusion. Any person who feels called to the mission field does not have missions as their first career choice. The maturing process is delicate and drawn out. We start with Jesus at the center of our hearts and we grow from there. He plants a seed of love where He stands and urges the Spirit to grow that love until it blossoms into compassion. Then compassion releases it's beautifully sweet essence into the air around itself. Anyone walking by is caught off guard by the strikingly pure smell coming from this awe-inspiring source. We cannot help but love those around us; to the point of moving us into drastic action. I have seen with my own eyes the need this world has and I am moved to fill that need.
     After I spoke, the guy leader said some challenging and humbling words. His words were filled with encouragement and determination. I was on the verge of tears, tears of joy that is, as he spoke. Then the group laid hands on me and prayed for me as well as the journey ahead of me. Their prayers were deep and heartfelt. I let out a huge sigh afterwards. So much positive emotional energy stirred in that room. I cannot even begin to explain the amount of blessing which is upon my life and only given to me from my Father above.
     Yesterday, I spent the evening with one of my closest friends. He has been such a huge encouragement and supporter of me. Words cannot express my gratitude and love for him. I asked if he was going to cry when I leave. It took him a minute, but he said no because this goodbye is not a permanent goodbye nor is it going to be the last time we speak. "Until next time," are the words I am looking for. I had to drive my car up to have it fixed while I am away. Another piece of evidence proving my intention of leaving this country. I gave her pat with my hand. "Until next time, my dear."
     Everything started to fall into its appropriate place. All of my errands were completed. My bags were packed. Now what? I wait patiently and pray my flights leave on time. Everything will work like clockwork now. Tick tock. Tick tock. Board the plane, fly through the air, land, and repeat two more times. I have an idea of what I will experience and what I will see, but I cannot guarantee my reaction will be what I anticipate it to be. I know the Lord will guide me through this time. He will hold my hand as we navigate this adventure. I am excited for what is to come and who I will meet. Let the Lord take me to far away places. I want to go to the ends of the earth in search of people who need my help. Here we go! I diving headfirst into the unknown. Three, two, one... Geronimo!