Saying Goodbye to the U.S.

It's May 23, which means the day that I have long anticipated; the day that I leave for France is finally here! This past week has been jammed packed with preparation, packing, and last minute double, triple, and quadruple checking flight itinerary and travel plans.

Mom and Dad drove me 2 1/2 to Detroit Metro Airport this morning. I said my goodbyes to them outside the security gate, before passing through the big scanner and having some official looking TSA guy swipe my palms. I waved goodbye to my parents and passed into the terminal.

For the first time in my life, I am on my own.

Wow, I know it hasn't truly set in yet, as I sit here at the gate of the terminal, but I have already felt a wave of emotions sweep over me. I am excited, that's for sure. I have been looking forward to this opportunity for such a long time-the opportunity to study abroad in a foreign country and have a little bit of freedom on my own. Yet at the same time, I cannot help but feel a little bit nervous. A million questions race through my head. What if I don't speak the language fluently enough? What if I make a fatal mistake, which involves my parents racing on an airplane to bail me of airport security somewhere in the middle of the Netherlands? Despite all these anxieties, I am comforted in knowing that this is where the Lord wants me to be. I want to try to focus on a scripture verse during my time in France. I think this one is pretty fitting.

"Cast all your anxiety upon him because he cares about you." 1 Peter 5:7

I know these next 6 weeks of my life are going to be transformational and inspirational. I know that God has big plans for me over in France; this I am confident of. However, in the meantime, I always need to remember to sometimes slow down, stop, and appreciate the little things.