The Reality of Three

So apparently, I'm getting on a plane to a different continent in approximately three weeks...and will be there for approximately three months.

To quote a minion in Despicable Me, "Whaaaa?" (2 points if you know what scene this is from!...or I guess I should make that three points, to be consistent with the title of this post.)

Yes, reality is starting really to kick in right now. Another chapter in my life is getting ready to unfold--

one) a new page,

two) a new place,

three) a new perspective.

I keep going through bursts of pure excitement for going to Europe, which is no doubt wonderful! I catch myself daydreaming about

one) the sights I'm going to see,

two) the experiences I'm going to have,

three) the people I'm going to meet.

However, along comes reality. I find myself thinking about how much I'm going to miss life in the U.S. I'm going to miss my family, my friends, my church, my university, my city...the list can go on and on...I guess what I will miss is the familiarity of life. I am going away from the people and places that I know.

I have conversations with my friends about just a few things that are happening in the spring--

one) my sorority's Initiation ceremony,
two) the choir singing on Easter Sunday,
three) the musical at the middle school I went to years ago--

and then along comes reality. I realize that I physically won't be around to share in those memories with them. (I'll for sure be there in spirit & thinking about y'all!) Yes, I know I will be having a great time over in Europe while all of this is going on in the U.S. However, just the thought that I'll be missing things back home is slightly saddening. Of course, there's always Facebook, Skype, etc., but there's something different about being with people.

Honestly, part of me is scared about the newness of going abroad. But I suppose it's a good kind of scared, and there's no doubt that I am going to face that fear! With approximately three weeks left before I leave, am I prepared yet? Heck no. But I'm slowly getting there. I'm enjoying the time that I have in the U.S. before I go to abroad, while thinking about the next chapter in my life.

Wow, after I was done writing this post for the time being, "Walk On The Water" by Britt Nicole came on, and these lyrics are definitely what I needed to hear after writing the previous paragraphs (it's pretty cool how song lyrics can apply to one's life!):

Verse 1:
You look around
It's staring back at you
Another wave of doubt
Will it pull you under
You wonder

What if I'm overtaken
What if I never make it
What if no one's there?
Will you hear my prayer?

When you take that first step
Into the unknown
You know that he won't let you go

Chorus:

So what are you waiting for?
What do you have to lose?
Your insecurities try to alter you

You know you're made for more
So don't be afraid to move
Your faith is all
It takes and you can
Walk on the water too

Verse 2:
So get out
And let
Your fear fall to the ground
No time to waste
Don't wait
Don't you turn around and miss out
Everything you were made for
I know you're not sure
So you play it safe
Try to run away

If you take that first step
Into the unknown
He won't let you go

Here's where you can find the rest of the lyrics if you're interested: http://www.lyricsreg.com/lyrics/britt+nicole/Walk+On+The+Water/

Basically, this reminds me that He is always with me--no matter where I am in the world. I'm getting ready to embark on a wonderful journey, and He will be there to guide me along the way! :)
"We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we're curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths." -Walt Disney

For the next three-ish weeks, I just need to keep moving forward, traveling closer to the reality of Europe.


Peace. Love. Happiness.
--TR