Adventure is out there!

Hello everyone!
I hope reading this title made someone imitate Russell from Up and say out loud "adventure is out there" while pumping their fist into the air. No worries, I almost did it in the middle of the airport. That's where I am...Dayton, OH sitting at a gate waiting for a very delayed flight. But that does not hinder my nerves/excitement/anxiety. The moment I sat down at my gate after getting through security I realized my hands were shaking an abnormal amount. I was just in shock that five minutes earlier I had walked away from my parents and all comforts of home for 4 weeks. Part of me says "Oh crap. What am I doing?" and the other part says "Yes." That's all, just yes. 


Yes to God, yes to whatever lies ahead, yes to spending 4 weeks sharing God's love, yes to making friends, yes to immersing myself in a new culture, yes to adventure, yes to love, yes to stepping into the complete unknown. My personal hero, JP2, provided me with this quote before I lead a retreat for incoming OSU freshmen and it's all I can think about as I get ready to make this ridiculously crazy leap. (Yes, Christine, I am quoting him in my blog. Can't wait to start the devotional you got me!)


"Have no fear of moving into the unknown. Simply step out fearlessly knowing that I am with you, therefore no harm can befall you; all is very, very well. Do this in complete faith and confidence."


So, all is very, very well so far as I hang out in Dayton with a bunch of tired and somewhat cranky looking people waiting for this plane to get here. I would say I'll post pictures soon but I won't. My camera battery decided to die today and I forgot my mom's so I will be relying on my iTouch (Plan B) or finding a camera in London (Plan C). Yes, this would happen to me about 30 minutes before I leave the country for 4 weeks. Oh well! My brother is right when he says I can't own nice things. Yes, the world just stopped spinning for a second while I admitted that my brother is right. Somehow this is all in God's plan. Much love to all of you!


In Christ,
Steph