Very Blessed

First and foremost I want to thank everyone who has offered me support over the past two weeks. I feel so grateful to have such a loving family, congregation, and set of friends. Every time I open a card I just take a deep breath and think, "I am loved and this is all going to be okay." I trust that I will be able to take care of myself properly, thanks to the generosity of those around me. Thank you a million times over!

Packing is coming along nicely. I'm still optimistic that everything will still fit. My winter coat came yesterday! It's black and long and warm. Earlier in the summer my mother questioned why I was buying so much black, to which I responded, "Mom, I'm going to be wearing all black for the rest of my life so you should just get used to it." Of course this comment is both sarcastic and dramatic, but what I am if not those two things. I probably am bringing more black than anything else, but it's classic, matches easily, and looks super sharp. I've been told several times over that I will hate all of my clothes that I bring because I will wear them all of the time. While I trust the people who have told me this greatly, and I am secretly crossing my fingers and hoping that I will be the exception to this phenomenon.

Now this is a special glimpse into my mind right now:

-Things I am super excited about bringing: work dresses, alphabet dice, and Lysol wipes.

-Things I want to bring, but might be excessive and unnecessary, but I can rationalize them so well: air freshener, bath robe, and meal planning note pad.

Everyday I find something that I wonder about packing. Yesterday's item: oven mitt. Rationalization: Do they have these in Poland? I don't know; let's get one tomorrow because I do not want to burn my hand. Father (voice of reason): They have to take hot pans out of the oven in Poland too. You can use a towel if you don't have one. Decision: no oven mitt. This happens at least once a day in my mind. This is also the reason I have decided not to go in Target again before I leave. Too much temptation.

Other than packing I fill my days with: prayer, writing letters and thank-yous, errands, burning CD's of all important photos, music and documents on my laptop in case it dies, and a whole host of important yet semi-ridiculous things. I am walking ball of emotion and most days are sort of like roller coaster. Yet, overall I trust that this is where God is calling me right now and that most of my anxiety will melt away once I see where I will be living and working.

This is how I hope to spend my last week in America:

-Finishing my to-do lists during the day so evenings can be spent with family and friends

-Calling dear friends who live outside of my hometown

-Stromboli Party with my friends from high school (a sacred ritual that has been going on for 7 years now, I think.)

-Watching my favorite movies

On Saturday, my parents and I will drive to New Jersey. On Sunday, I will fly out from Newark just at dinner time. I am unsure if I will blog again before I leave. If not, I will write from Slovakia at some point during my training. Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers!

Blessings,

Colleen