The Dream Becoming Reality

Countdown has begun...50...49...48 days. Once we get closer, we'll start counting hours and minutes. That's how most of us work. When we've been awaiting the arrival of something impending, we start countdowns. Like a Christmas advent or summer vacation. But this is not just another annual countdown. This is the great countdown, to the much-anticipated trip of our lives. This is our countdown to India! Yes, we finally have our airfare, which means we have actual dates now. It's been over 2 years of dreaming and researching. Planning and pining. Budgeting, scrimping, saving, and often, needing to sacrifice that savings for life's unexpected and unplanned necessities and emergencies. But...the time has finally come! I can almost imagine hearing the great countdown of American space shuttles' impending departures...."T-10 seconds and counting..." I can hardly imagine that we are finally going! It's almost like how a bride or mom-to-be feels like when they are expecting that big day. You can only do so much "learning" about what it will be like. Eventually, it will be the "living" that you finally realize the fullness of what you have committed to. Yes, we are aware of the poverty, the dirt, the possibility of sickness, even disease. We realize that we will face serious culture-shock. But again, how does this differ from marriage and motherhood? Those also come in an un-tidy little package of frustrations and disappointments. But, oh, the blessings and wonderful times and memories that are gained! My husband often uses the very good and wise saying, "Nothing ventured, nothing gained." Another that comes to mind is, "Better to have loved and lost, than never to have loved at all." So, in 48 days, we will begin our venture and love every minute of it!