On the Cosmic Scale....

Hello Friends!

I send you greetings from Illinois for probably the last time (for six months) during our worst snowstorm of the year. Pretty sure everything in town is closed, except Family Video, and they probably won’t last long now. I would recommend that it’s not the best time to watch “The Day After Tomorrow” or “2012”. Just a thought. As long as we keep the electricity I don’t mind the storm. It is just giving me more time with the fam since they didn’t have to work today. So hurray for that.

Everything for the trip has come together. A bit last minute but it’s all working out. My visa is scheduled to arrive the day before I leave and that’s the last thing I’ve been waiting for. I officially leave this Saturday, February 5^th and arrive in Khabarovsk the 7^th. I come back to the States July 26^th.

I’ve been slowly packing for at least a week. Probably more like two weeks and I’m sick of it. Right now the same two words are going through my head, “Space & weight. Space & weight.” I only have so much room for stuff and can fill it only so heavy. At this point I’m thinking, “What can I take out to save weight and room? … Shoes! I don’t need shoes in Russia anyway. Besides it will make room for another purse!” Okay not really. But by starting to pack early it has actually helped with narrowing down to what I really do need. Although I am dreading when they weigh my suitcases….

It has been pretty cool that in the last year I’ve been able to see friends from long ago. We keep in touch but we only get to see each other every few years. It has been in Gods perfect timing with each visit in that they were each such an encouragement to me. Beth, Kelly, and Rebekah it was awesome seeing you!

There are a few things that I have to keep reminding myself of in these last days with family and friends. One is from my wise friend Amber, who said, “You won’t be gone forever.” Too true :) Another is, “It’s only for 6 months” and still another is just the fact that I know I need to go. At least by going I can have that peace in my heart that this is God’s will. My life would not be satisfied if I stayed.

I keep a journal and since I like to write AND vent to God I tend to go through them rather quickly :) The last couple that I have had were just $3 WalMart notebooks that I decorated. While packing I decided I needed to make one for while I’m in Russia and thought that having a Russia/travel theme would be fun. Anyways, while looking through my stash of cut outs from magazines, I found a line that said, “On the cosmic scale it may be a small thing.” Going to Russia for six months on the cosmic scale is an extremely small thing. And really compared to my entire lifetime it’s a very small thing. But I’m so glad that in Gods eyes He sees the small things that we do and sacrifice for:)

Am I going to miss my family and friends? Uhhh yeah. Of COURSE. It seems like every day I’m thinking,
“This is the last time that I will do this.” And every day I have to keep myself from crying (I’m not too big on crying in front of people although I can’t help it anyway). And every day I say to God, “This better be worth it.” But I’m coming back in six months so it’s not forever. And hopefully I will come back more like the woman God wants me to be.

I look forward to when I return and can tell all my stories and show all of my pictures. But even more I’m excited to hear about what God has done while I was gone. What’s your plan for the next six months?

Thank you everyone for the gifts: the supplies, the money, the cards, the messages, the hugs, and prayers. You are all amazing! I’ll keep in touch.

Blessings,

Leah