It takes an inordinate amount of time to leave the country for 6+ months, at least to attempt it well. I wonder how I did! Time will tell, as I find out when I unpack gear trying to anticipate a life I don’t know see if all my bills will be paid in a timely fashion. This year my taxes were prepared prior to receiving all the mailed forms, so it is an estimate with an extension in process. It is wonderful to have a reason to clean out closets and get a bit of the clutter out of the way. What did I miss? I wonder!
JaLynn, Annaliese, Peter, and Kristi came over last night to say farewell with warm snickerdoodles. My check list was fairly well accomplished, allowing me to enjoy this gift of friendship. My pages of notes for Janet are posted. While some were admiring my preparation of these details (i.e., where the fire extinguishers are located), I think a couple saw a side of me that many of my work colleagues are aware of–the detail-oriented me.
So, we are in the airport, in the lull before the flight. The saved Starbucks gift card goes unused, for while it could be used in another part of the airport, here in the south terminal, Seattle’s Best Coffee rules.
We are blessed. Not only did we have 3 offers for airport pickup, it ends up that we will be guests for two meals on the first day. Then because grocery stores are closed, my PhD student colleague, Tina, offered to pick us up some groceries to tide us over. Wow!
We have much to learn about a new culture and new systems (bus, phone, school, online student interfaces, libraries, grocery stores, etc.), but fortunately, we have a loving God who goes ahead of us and friends and colleagues to walk with us whithersoever we go.
With blessings,
Beth