The Waiting Game.

Well, this is what it comes down to: Prayer, Hope and Trust.

Egypt in the past few weeks has gotten fairly dangerous in terms of rioting and arrests. But, regardless. I still want to go there more than anywhere else. Egypt is such an enticing place in so many ways, but I do understand everyone's concerns about going over there now. Luckily, for all those concerned, the government is with you. Should things get a tad TOO crazy, the state department can shut down the exchange program and I will be placed somewhere else for the semester. Hopefully the elections this week go well and i'm granted the opportunity to spend my semester enjoying the commotion of Cairo, the history of Giza and the beauty of the Nile, but it's possible that the elections only incite more craziness and i'm forced somewhere else.

So, until then all I can do is wait, watch and pray with the knowledge that God knows best. Would I love to know now, and be able to fully prepare for my time in another culture, with another language, with new people and new adventures to pursue? Yes. Of course. But, I also realize that God HAS a plan for me. He knows where I'm headed, He knows my needs, He knows the desires of my heart and above all, He wants to see my happy. So, while I could spend my time wallowing in my frustration, in the end it's just not worth it. Regardless of where I go I will be somewhere NEW, somewhere EXCITING and inevitably enjoy the adventure of a lifetime. So, trust it is. I'm trusting that in all things I need not fear. My God, my hope is in you.

Psalm 39:7 "But Now Lord, what do I look for? My HOPE is in you"

 الأمل دائما

Walk like an Egyptian...

So, if you weren't already aware....i'm letting you in on the insanity now. I'M GOING TO EGYPT! I'll be honest, I was a little nervous things wouldn't work out with Egypt. I mean, to be fair, there is a bit of a government upheaval going on over there so  plans could always change last minute. BUT, for now, I am going to enjoy the delirious excitement of knowing that in a little over 2 months I will be in the land of Pyramids.

I wish I could put into words how mixed up my emotions have been. I'm OVER THE MOON with excitement to be going. I've dreamed of seeing the pyramids since second grade when I discovered ancient history. Now, though, as it looms before me, I'm starting to freak out a bit. Did I make the right choice? Will homesickness hit worse than if I'd gone somewhere else? Is it worth to go to a country knowing so little of the language? What about my tattoo?? Is that going to get me in trouble?? While my excitement remains, the past few days I have been overwhelmed with the feeling of uncertainty about my choice to go to Cairo. However, per usual, God has been absurdly faithful in taking care of me and knowing my needs even when I haven't asked for His help.

Within the past 48 hours I have spoken to 3 or 4 different people about going to Egypt, and while they know the dangers and I told them about my family's fears, they were all beyond encouraging. They would say things like "..everywhere's dangerous, you can't stop living just because of that." "That's crazy girl, I love that you're doing something so different." "Think of the amazing time you'll get to see in Egypt's history!" It's so simple but God knew exactly what I needed to hear to get me through these past few days. I needed that reminder that I am where i'm supposed to be, even if that place is a little bit more dangerous than the ideal.

I'll admit it, I have a problem. I love to shock people. I like the looks i get when I chop my hair, I liked the reaction I got when I got a tattoo, I love doing things that people say I can't/won't or simply don't expect from me. But this time, it goes beyond that. I CRAVE adventure that I simply cannot get in Charlottesville. There's simply something magical about this crazy world we've been placed in and I ache to discover it. I see pictures of foreign places and I need to leave. I am not content to just sit and let the world around me go to waste. I want to see, do, feel, experience, live. If that means going somewhere a little bit crazy, so be it. I am confident that God has me right where he wants me. What plans He has in store for this adventure I don't know, but for now I am content that He does. If that means going somewhere where my faith is going to be a daily challenge, I'm okay with that. I want to be so shattered spiritually that there is nothing I can do but crawl back to the source of joy. Well Egypt, let's do this thing.

 "For I know the plans I have for you", declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Jeremiah 29:11

Entering the Depths of my Heart.

Welcome to the visual representation of the desires of my heart.

If, after watching this, you don't want to:

 Travel to every corner of the earth, 

Interact with people of all languages, backgrounds and cultures

Try exotic foods

Experience God's incredible world

Live out life's adventure

.....I don't even know what to tell you.