Now Bethel is Upon Me

Well I decided I better give you all a new post since I handed out all those "trading cards" (as my mother affectionately calls them) with my blog address on them.
I can't believe it's only two more days until I get on a one-way plane to Bethel! I've never been on a one-way plane before. I've only traveled round-trip. It's quite a different experience I think when you know that the plane is dropping you off and not coming back. Yesterday the movers came and packed up all my things. My parents living room was full of all my stuff one moment and empty the next- I now have two suit cases to my name. It's nice being a minimalist if only for a week. :)
I still don't think it's fully hit me what I am about to do. It still doesn't completely feel like I'm "moving". Just an extended vacation or mission trip- well and that's what it really is I mean I'm not going forever- just a few years. But still it hasn't hit me- I'm not sure if it will until after I get to Bethel. Or maybe at the airport when I'm in the security line and all the people I love can't continue on with me.
That's definitely the hardest part about this whole thing- leaving those I love. True I don't know where I'm gonna be living exactly in Bethel, I won't have a car, I won't have a cell phone, I'll be living in a small town with no movie theater and no starbucks, I'll be living on my own for the first time, and I'll be a real nurse for the first time (ok that one is scary) but all those things are so small in comparison to leaving all of you guys. Praise God for the telephone though and email and airplanes and for the salary I'll be getting to pay for airplane tickets home. :) Please pray with me that I'll get to come home for Christmas.
1 Thessalonians 5:24 "The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it." I cling to this verse knowing that it is God that has called me to be a nurse and is now calling me to Bethel. I don't have to have all the answers or be able to fix everything because He is faithful and He will do it! He's the strength in my weakness and I know that He will be my comfort and that He will also comfort my family that is staying behind. I'm also confident that He will sustain my relationships- He'll give you all a desire to travel to Alaska and be avid emailers and phone talkers! :)
This time Sunday (Saturday, I'll be at a wedding in Anchorage) I will be back in Bethel, AK- my home away from home.