The time is flying by! Tomorrow I move out of my house in South Carolina. My parents are coming tonight and going to help me move everything to a storage facility in North Carolina. The storage place charges about $45 per month. Though I want to boast that I've done a good job at getting rid of a lot of things, there is still more that I can't take with me on this first trip to China.
I am in a bit of a strange mindset right now. After I drop off things in North Carolina I am headed to New York for training. I am excited, but I am also quite overwhelmed and lost at the moment.
First, paperwork has not gone as I had hoped or planned. My official teaching certificate hasn't come back yet, nor have I been able to acquire a notarized copy of my diploma. The diploma is super important as that is what I need to present in order to receive a letter of "invitation" from the Chinese government. That letter is required in order for me to be able to apply for my VISA. Meanwhile, we are days away from 1 month until my departure.
Secondly, my sweet puppy Benji has had some extremely unforeseen health issues. He is on antibiotics now, but I am fearful of how it will affect his coming to China with me when I return home in December.
Lastly, I feel like I've prevented myself from stopping and even processing each step of this move and it is quite disconcerting.
It is so hard not to panic and feel lonely in leaving behind what was "comfortable" and "easy". I always said to myself that the minute I feel comfortable is the time I know that God is calling me to a change... but knowing this and acting upon it is really quite terrifying.
Don't get me wrong. I am desperate to get to China. I am already so in love with my students and my city. I cannot wait to immerse myself in a new culture and serve others in a whole new way.
Yet, all the preparations and things mostly outside of my immediate control (and definitely out of my preferred timing) are causing me to forget that the Lord commands me not to worry or be anxious.
One thing I was definitely reminded of this week, through wonderful friends who came to visit and help me pack, as well as, through attending the amazing second season of the World Premiere of The Logos Theatre's "Prince Caspian", was that one of the things God does best is orchestrate the ending often somewhere we cannot see. Just because we do not always understand why or how He is working, does not mean He is not very present in our lives. I believe that God is in this. Even so, believing that you trust God and living like you actually trust Him are two very different things. It comes down to the the difference between having a talking faith over a real walking faith (something I have no doubt will become VERY real to me in China). I suppose what I'm doing now is just trying to figure out what my part looks like in His big plan.
If you think of it today, will you please pray for me? Thank you, friends. To God alone be the glory!
- Moving day tomorrow! Travel mercies and strength are needed for all!
- Paperwork!
- Updated teaching certificate
- Notarized diploma
- Chest X-ray
- Letter of invitation
- VISA paperwork
- Benji's health (Pray for quick healing and a smooth process for his immigration to China in December)
- I will be at training in New York for two weeks. Please pray for travel mercies. I want to learn about my objective in China, grow closer to my Father, find comfort and support in Christian fellowship, and be a servant to others at the conference.
- Financial planning
- & more