Wow...
It's finally here. I leave for Greece in about 12 hours, ah! :) I have to admit today was a bit stressful. Getting everything packed that I think I might need this year was... intense, haha. I was hoping to travel as light as possible... and let's just say I'm not going as light as I'd hoped, but as my mom keeps reminding me, I am going to be away for a YEAR, so I shouldn't view taking a few extra things as such a bad thing. I guess it just bothers me because I KNOW there are SO MANY people who live with SO MUCH LESS, and I had just wanted to challenge myself to live really simply too, weining myself off of an attachment to "stuff." I suppose if I had thought through more clearly how determined I wanted to be to slim down my packing list, today wouldn't have been so hard for me. I'm one of those people who over-analyzes everything to try to come up with the best possible result... in like, everything, lol..., which makes me a pretty slow-mover (or atleast it will often seem that way to the more "get 'er done" people!). So when my dearly loving, helpful, Mom tries to help me pack, we clash!! She's a much better "just do it" person. So, I suppose in the end, we balanced each other out, and all in all, it was a successful day, with compromises made both ways. Dad came along later this afternoon to help finish it off and get everything weighed just right. I'm so thankful for such loving, supporting, helpful parents!! I'm also incredibly thankful for the phone calls from two of my amazing friends who really listened, encouraged, and even prayed for me right over the phone today... and so many more who have been doing that for me all week, and through facebook messages, and cards, and... yeah, everything, it's great! :)
I feel SOOOO loved and encouraged, it's ridiculous! ;) And I'm super eager to let what I've been filled up with overflow to all I meet! :D
While I didn't perfectly accomplish every goal that I set for myself while I was at home these last four months... I have still had a blast and "accomplished" much more in other areas I wouldn't have dreamed of. I love how God just expands my plans like that so often! ;) I'm looking forward to journaling and reminiscing and thanking God lots for the blessings of this season at home while I'm traveling the next few days. And then, I'll be preparing my heart for this new adventure ahead!! Give me your eyes and ears, to see and hear YOU, and the courage to follow where you lead me, Lord! Moment by moment... day by day... week by week, every month, every year... :)
And right now... I am absolutely freezing. I'm pretty sure we're reaching record lows here in Iowa as the temperature keeps dropping well below freezing. While the weather in Greece can be pretty cold this time of year as well, I bet I'll feel quite warm when I get there, haha.
So, I'm going to go snuggle up and sleep!!! Oh, and I also sent a message to all the members of my "Pray for Greece!" facebook group this evening... I think I'll post that message on my other blog quick before I sleep. Definitely go read that one too if you've got time. I included lyrics to the song that pretty much sums up my life right at the moment. :) So I must go now, go and
follow love. ;)
Located on top of a hill, this site has a beautiful view of the nearby sea and mountains; it offers great options for our cooking and program needs; and most importantly, we developed a friendly relationship with the owner (almost as good as the one we shared with his incredible dog, Rex!). 
