And so it begins...

I am sitting here looking at my luggage and my crossed off to do list, thinking I should have something profound to say before I turn out the lights on my last night in the States for awhile.  Instead all I feel is a deep and overwhelming gratitude that this day has come.

I am grateful that I teach students who face the brave decision to apply to scary things at a time in their life that the world seems to have the most uncertainty.  And I am most grateful that last year's group challenged me to do the same thing.  Because of them, I applied for a Fulbright.

I am grateful that I have the most amazing friends and family who have supported me and loved me through all the highs and lows that have come with preparation for this trip.  From the anticipation of waiting to hear if I got the award, learning one Finnish word a day with me, packing boxes and promising a thousand times over that "we will Skype so often it will be like you never left."  Because of each of you, I carry only encouragement and love as I delve into this new adventure.

I am grateful that every single detail has fallen in place for me to leave for the next 7 months.  I have people to sublet my house.  I have a job that is willing to let me go and come back.  I sold my car for the amount I wanted, on the exact day I was done with it.  I have a place to live in Finland that looks nicer than my place here in DC (hard to even imagine as you all know how much I LOVE my condo!).  And I have a friend to meet me at the airport in Helsinki and invite me into her home while she and her family show me the ropes.  Because of these provisions, I am convinced God is sending me.

And most of all, I am grateful that you are reading this blog!  Who knows what I will find in Jyväskylä when I get there, but I am grateful to know that you are with me as I start to become Finnish...couldn't resist! :)