Plane tickets

Well, the plane tickets are all set to go, Leyla and I leave from Minneapolis on August 14th. Today I bought my ticket to Minneapolis for the day before, where I hope to see Julie and have a fun time going out to dinner or something before I leave (hopefully at Loring Pasta Bar). This summer is going by so fast! It has been sneaking up on me...

My mother works for a book publishing company as a book planner, and occasionally she comes across books lying around that she thinks I might have an interest in and grabs them for me. Last week she brought home a book called "An Island in Istanbul: At home on Heybeliada". I was really excited because Heybeli is an island in Istanbul that we visited last time we were there and I loved it there. The book is about a couple that decided to retire and buy some property on that island. It has been such a great thing to read before I leave because it kind of is re-immersing me into the culture before hand, getting me super excited for it.

I just pray that the Lord prepares me for this journey I'm about to embark on. I'm taking the steps I feel Him leading me to take, and I definitely feel that going to teach in Turkey this year is one of them. I don't feel ready for this, but as I have learned so far, you cannot really be prepared for any new stage in your life, and that is what makes it so life-changing, challenging, and ultimately worthwhile. I look forward so much to the new places I will go and the new things I will learn this year. :)