It's 2:30 in the AM. I have to be at the airport in 3 hours. Nothing would be better than sleep right now, but at the urging and assurance of a friend, that I'll value this post, I'm writing how I feel in anticipation of the 3 months to follow.
Germany is something of a small miracle - it's actually the result of a grad school rejection letter. Last fall I applied for the Army's Physical Therapy program, only to be turned down. My resolve to be accepted at all costs (excepting murder, etc.) got me looking for ways to REALLY stand out as an applicant. 'Go foreign, go military,' I thought (okay, it wasn't QUITE as simple as that, but I want to hold your interest, so if you want more details, email me.). And after a while I realized maybe I could go to the Air Force base in Germany, where my sister's husband is working, and shadow the therapist there.....The plan morphed a lot, from 3 weeks to 3 months, changing to accommodate realities and holding strong, even when fluke upsets may have destroyed it. Everything's fallen into place beautifully and my chariot awaits, as it were.
Even as I write about the last several months of planning and praying that this would all work, I can't believe it's really happening tomorrow. Reminds me of that time I planned and prepped 10 long months for my study abroad in Jerusalem, and then was shocked one day to realize I was actually there. There's a little trepidation that comes with the first day of the rest of one's life upon them, especially if it's gonna be drastically different. Am I really ready to step away from my situation - the circumstances I've been openly ready to leave since I arrived 2 years ago (don't get me wrong - love Portland, just don't love feeling limited)? Am I going to make as much of this experience as I've been assuming I will? The time for preparation is literally over and I hope I'm ready to take on the journey and the opportunities ahead.
The other day I was talking to a friend and had the beautiful realization that this opportunity feels just as heaven-sent as did Jerusalem. The same assurances whirl around all my thoughts of going to Germany, and as surely as I felt I was supposed to go to Israel, I know I am supposed to go now and have this experience. I don't know exactly why, minus the obvious reason for the trip. But the Lord is a marvelous multi-tasker and I can only imagine that something phenomenal will come out of living with my wonderful sister's wonderful family, trying to learn German, eating currywurst, and visiting Disney Princess castles. It may not be realized in the next three months, but I'll keep my eyes open for it until it comes.
A request: I've never been to Germany, or Europe at all, for that matter, so if you can think of anything I'd really be worse off for not experiencing, PLEASE TELL ME ABOUT IT! Time is limited and money will run out someday, but I'm not a great planner of excursions to new places and I'd hate to miss something life-changing simply because I didn't know it existed.
So, I'll just say, I'm thrilled to be embarking on this adventure. I hope I'm equal to it. I've been waiting a LONG time for this and...it's time. Thanks to everyone who has been so supportive of my hopes, dreams, plans, needs, and ukulele-playing. Y'all are great!
So glad you got there safely and that a new adventure is about to begin. And yes, we WILL value your posts! I can't tell you what to see in Germany because the only thing I vividly remember was puking on the gang plank at the Frankfurt airport.... I was very young. Well, I remember that and the castles. Go see as many castles as you can. Take your time. Feel the thinness of the veil that exists in Europe. The past is all around you. LOVE you!
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