Prepared.

"All things are ready, if our mind be so."

Preparedness is an interesting concept. Yesterday I felt unprepared for my upcoming travels. A friend could see it on my face; I was running my packing list through my mind, thinking of all the little things I needed to buy, gather and pack.

Last night I created a packing checklist with just the essentials. All of my toiletries are packed into a quart-sized bag. All of my clothing serves a purpose. I'm only packing one pair of shoes. Me! Only one pair! 

Now that the material things are set into piles, the true preparations begin. Now it's sinking in.

In a week I'll be in a completely foreign land, getting ready to help people whose culture I know next to nothing about. The combination of excitement, uncertainty and quiet acceptance of the fact that I cannot know everything until I arrive, is truly thrilling. 

I am so blessed to have been given this opportunity. I can't help but think of all of the pieces and parts of my life that have come together to make this possible. God's hand is certainly in all of it. From the conversation with Jason Paltzer about my major in college, to the stages of planning that have steered us in the right direction, to interviews and email communication that have given me insight before I get onto that plane, to the incredible generosity of Dan and Vicky Kunz and the Antioch Foundation, this experience would not be possible without every piece coming together as it has.

The secret to success is being ready for opportunity when it comes. Well, it's here. 

I'm ready...

Let's go!