Drew and I leave for Nicaragua in a little over a month. It’s hard to believe it’s coming up so quick. I feel like I should have had more transition time between getting married and first mission trip as a married couple. Oh well… I suppose we’ll just dive in with both feet!
I am truly excited. I can’t wait to travel again and see a new culture. I’ve been home and stationary for over a year. For my crazy lifestyle that I once knew, that’s pretty good. For almost three straight years of my life, I traveled. I worked and volunteered with the African Children’s Choir as a music supervisor. I got used to constant movement and chaos. I was in a new place every other day. It was exciting, intense, and tiring. Since I’ve been home, I’ve relished in the fact that I can sit still and spread out, no longer living out of a suitcase. I love the fact that my life is more constant now. I have a husband, a familiar face that I know I will see at home everyday, and a place I can call my home. It’s the place where I can not only put all my stuff, but it’s the place where I can truly let a deep breath out and relax. Continuity truly can be a wonderful thing.
Although I’m loving the “stillness” of life now, part of me misses and longs for that constant excitement and something new everyday aspect of my old life. Sometimes I just miss getting on a bus or an airplane and just going someplace new! Sometimes it’s easy to get a bit stir crazy. That’s why I’m so excited about Nicaragua. It will be a chance to give that part of me some excitement, and to stretch my legs a bit. Not to mention having a chance to help some people in need. And watch my husband try to communicate with the locals. (I’m sure he’ll have just as much fun watching me try to communicate.)
Mixed in with excitement is a bit of nervousness. Not about flying to a foreign country (after you’ve done it a few times it’s just routine) or trying to work through my rusty Spanish (okay, maybe a little). Most of my nervousness comes from not having enough money for our trip yet. We’ve gotten a fair amount of money, but we still need more. I’ve done fundraising before, and I know God provides, but it’s getting pretty close, and I’m getting nervous.
At least I have my passport (my brand spanking new one with some fancy computer chip in it with all kinds of info and a way better picture than my old one!!!) and I’m up to date with all my shots. Oh, and I have some malaria medicine waiting for me at the pharmacy. That reminds me, I need to go pick that up…