It Seems This is Actually Happening...

I am anxious. Not the bad, nervous, anxious, rather the I need something new anxious.

I think it is why this week I've been feeling more "Can I board a plane for Africa already?!?" and less "Holy Motown Batman what have I gotten myself into?!?"  The anxiousness of leaving really kicked in on Tuesday when I officially said no to a full-time teller position.  I think that's when it really hit me that  I wanted this trip so badly that sacrifices I thought I couldn't make, would indeed be made.

So Starbucks habit? Knocked out. (I even missed out on free coffee day, and free is in the budget!)

Job decisions? Made.

All that's left is to leave right? ...well not exactly.  

Progress is definitely happening. During one of my more anxious moments today I called the doctor to make an appointment for vaccinations (12/20/12...oh that seems so far away), so that is one thing I can check off of my "to-do" list.  Tuesday, on my day off, I'm headed to the post office with my filled out DS-11 and getting my passport.  As I plan more things, and more details fall into place, I get more anxious (the good kind), and less scared (hallelujah, praise God!)

My parents are also falling into the excited boat these days too it seems. My dad started to really get excited for me when I was home last and we ate dinner together and talked about it for almost an hour.  My mom yesterday volunteered to officially dog-sit and pay for vaccinations, which is a huge step for her because she has for sure needed some convincing.  It seems that all is coming together, and I couldn't be happier.

Then tonight I ate dinner with a friend, who is an International Business major (this girl loves to travel) and as we talked about her semester she spent in London, I only got more excited for what awaits me in Africa.  At this point 8 weeks is almost not seeming long enough...

This is real. This is happening. I cannot believe it, and I can hardly contain my excitement. I know I need to be focused on here and now (this girl has to graduate before boarding a plane to anywhere...) Nonetheless I am having trouble containing myself (I know blog #17 about Africa.)  I think I just need to find myself a hobby to keep me entertained between now and then, I think the hobby might just be "How much money can Lauren save?" Did someone say coupons?

Okay I'll stop going on about nonsense, blog quality has quickly declined over the past two paragraphs.  But seriously, on a more important note there is this:

My God is an amazing being, and I can't even begin to fathom His love for me.  I just keep thinking how blessed I am for my earthly parents, and how I'm even more blessed because of my Heavenly Father who loves me.  I can't even put into words how I'm feeling or how excited I am.