Time Flies When You're Leaving the Country

I returned home last night after spending a few days in Texas with one of my grandmothers and hanging out with Kathryn, Kenny, and Josh in Jackson, MS. I had such a great time with all of them. I held back tears as my grandmother prayed for me and my journey, and again when she dropped me off at the airport. I hugged her and said goodbye with the hope that it will not be more than two years until I see her again. She was really excited at the idea of coming to visit me. I plan to see Kathryn a couple more times before I depart, so we have not said goodbye yet. Tears are sure to be involved when we do.

Time is absolutely flying. I booked my ticket to Staging (pre-departure orientation) today. I fly to Miami on May 2 and will meet up with my fellow volunteers. We leave for Suriname the morning of May 3.
After I booked my ticket I thought back to August and the thoughts I had when I submitted my application. I had no idea how far along in the process I would progress. Months ago I was worried about making it to my interview in Atlanta on time, and now I am worried about packing my life into 80 lbs. to live in a country I really don't know much about. Wow.

Now, to switch gears a bit. I think of France every single day, but lately L'Abbaye de Pontlevoy and my time there has been on my mind a lot. I'm sure this is no news to anyone that knows me. If you know me, you've heard me talk about living in France. I think of it when I see green grass and the sun is shining. I think of it on rainy days and when I smell cigarette smoke. I think of it all the time. 

I guess I want my current feelings to match up with the ones I had before I moved to France. I try to think of how I felt in the days leading up to my departure to France and it's hard. My life was so different then. I grew so much in my time in France and have continued to grow in the five years since I lived in that tiny village. I give France and my experiences there credit for who I am. I look back at that 18 year old girl who was nervous to move four hours across the state for college, and then six weeks into her first semester told her parents she was going to France. What was I thinking? I remember hearing about the Abbey program and calling my mom hours later to tell her what I wanted to do. I had never taken an interest in France and I did not know one word of her language. Why France? Looking back on it, I know for sure that it was just part of a bigger plan for my life. I believe that God chose for me to enter this world in a hospital in Hattiesburg, MS, but that He truly brought me to life when I moved to an 11th century abbey in a tiny French village. I learned so much about myself that semester. I fell in love with France and her people. I developed a deeper appreciation for different cultures and a desire to experience as much of the world as I possibly can.

I hope that in a couple of years I will be in love with Suriname and the people I serve. I hope that throughout my life I am able to leave an impression on the world that has impressed so much upon me.

I owe so much of who I am to L'Abbey de Pontlevoy and the lessons I learned while I was there. I owe more love than I have in my heart to the family that supported my decision to live and learn in a foreign country (and because they're doing it again), and I owe my life to the God that brought me to life while I was there. I am thankful for the desires placed on my heart and I give Him praise for providing the avenues by which my dreams and goals are met.