auf Wiedersehen!

This has been a week of farewells, well wishes, tears, laughter, disappointment, and touching moments. I leave for California tomorrow. I have spent so much time fundraising, praying, packing that, perhaps, I haven't thought about the obvious:

I am going to be all by myself.

There is something about starting somewhere new that brings out every insecurity you have ever had about yourself. Here I am, at 30, and I am feeling reminiscent of the first day of college. 12 years ago, I was moving into the dorms at Jacksonville State University as a freshman. I was doing fine for the two days my mom and I were setting everything up. And then it happened. My mom was leaving, and I was suddenly like Bambi...learning how to walk.

It's a crippling thought (see what I did there? HA! Joe, that has your name all over it) to know that I will be in a city for the first time in a LONG time, where I do not know a soul.

Growing up, the part of school I hated the most was lunch time. More often times than not, I would either eat lunch by myself, or I would skip lunch all together for the simple fact that I just did not want to eat by myself. I guess it's kind of sad, when you think about it.

The truth of the matter is, just like every other new place, the first week or two might be the hardest or the most lonely, but...this is a good thing, this experience is a good thing. I can do anything for a day...or two, or 72, to be exact.

I can do this.

I won't be completely by myself, either. My darling, Bedford, is accompanying me on this journey. For that, I have never been more thankful.

To gear me up for being away from all I know and love for three months, I had a farewell lunch with my parents as well as a get together with friends from my church. It is always nice to know how loved and supported I am. It's nice to know I will be missed, too!

This, no doubt, will be my last update from Alabama....for a while. Thanks for the prayers and support. Watch for an update from California...<3