
suitcases that morning... I ended up setting some stuff on a shelf in my parents living room that I couldn't take with me. I wonder if my parents have left it there, and if not where is it?
I'm blogging today about the journey from America to India. Yes, I'm slacker, I moved back in late November (2012) and haven't shared this with you yet!
My sister and her fiance were there until the early evening, when they left to go to home in Georgia. We were in South Carolina, which is where I'd spent the last 19 years of my life.
After they left, my mom and dad and I were alone. We'd eaten lasagna, my choice, as my goodbye meal. It was a good choice, as it turns out, because I haven't had it since!
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My parent's house... not that day. Taking pictures for the blog was the last thing on my mind that day. |
Also, it took a very long time for us to save up the money for my plane ticket. There just wasn't any extra Sophie money. And the Lord had told us that we were to marry sooner rather than later. So I had to tell her goodbye.
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my darling Sophie |
Yes, it may sound funny, but I was taking a bus to India... haha.
I was taking the greyhound up from Spartanburg, SC to Newark, NJ.
We got there early. I was nervous about missing it and wanted some time with my parents. My dad came in with me, I don't remember why Mom wasn't there at first. I was stressed and overwhelmed and emotional...
Then the bus was late.
Like wayyy late. Like several hours late.
There was one other guy in the bus stop getting on the same bus. We started joking with him. Then my mom joined us and we were just trying to pass the time and cracking jokes. It was good. The tension and emotions eased. We had a little more time together.
I thanked God the bus was late. It was good to have that time.
We were joking around with that guy. I really wish I remembered his name. See, I had written it down but it got deleted... but I'll get to that.
My family at my sister's graduation, earlier that year in May. From left to right: Me, Brad- my sister's fiance, Alison- my sister, Mom, Dad |
I hugged Mom and Dad tight, and got on... I sat down... then couldn't stand that I couldn't see
them from my seat, so I switched seats to watch them as the bus pulled away. I waved...
My heart was screaming, "No!"
I wanted to marry Ryan. I was excited. I'd been anticipating this for over a year, working on the move for months. I knew this was what God wanted from me...
But I had no idea when I'd see my parents again. What if something happened to them? How long would it be until we reunited? How many years? I knew that it had taken Ryan months to save up for the plane ticket, and I wasn't going to be able to earn money for a long time, legally. With a wedding and a new apartment sometime on the horizon... how long would a reunion take?
I cried. I sat down in my seat with tears streaming down my face. I turned my MP3 player on and let it be a soundtrack as we wove through Spartanburg neighborhoods and onto the highway...
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My dad. This photo was taken by my sister Beth (photo credit!) after I was already in India, but seriously I think this is the best photo that's been taken of him in years! |
I was on my way.
I prayed to God and I felt my tears ease, to be replaced by excitement. I was still a ball of roiling emotions... but I had peace and joy. I was following God to the unknown, literally. I had never been to India. I had never met Ryan in person. I had never even been anywhere overseas. Not even Canada, Mexico, or the Caribbean.
Everyone thought I was crazy. And in a way I was... I was walking by faith. I knew God, and I knew what He had said to Ryan and I, the way He was leading us. I knew what He was calling to me, though I had no idea really how it would end up looking in my life. I knew I was following Him to India...
But first I had to get through a really long trip to New Jersey!
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