A Fond Farewell to All

This past week has been crazy busy with overly filled days of saying my last goodbyes to people, making daily trips between Pennsylvania and New Jersey, trying to get things somewhat organized (although that ended up being more of an ideal thought than an actual carried out plan), and making sure I had everything I needed to be able to start my exciting adventure. However, this past week has also been filled with some of the fondest memories I will hold on to throughout my time in Paris. Thank you so much to all my friends and family who have been so supportive and encouraging throughout the past couple of weeks. Thank you for all your thoughts, prayers, gifts, kind words, and especially for the time you've taken out of your day to see me, call me, email me, facebook me, etc... you have no idea how much this means to me! I couldn't begin to imagine having to do this without the support you all have given me.

Richard Bach said, "Don't be dismayed at goodbyes. A farewell is necessary before you can meet again. And meeting again, after moments or lifetime, is certain for those who are friends." And so, my dear friends, I leave you saying that we will meet again. Whether it is in this life or in Heaven only the Lord knows, but what an awesome comfort to know that one day we will be reunited again in the awesome presence of our Lord and Savior!!! "Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away." (Revelations 21:1-4) I can't wait for that day... there's going to be a wedding like the universe has never seen before!

But that's not for now. For now, La France holds my future. My plane will be taking off in 9 hours and I'll have a 2 hour layover in Iceland before I arrive in Paris at 6:30am Friday morning Paris time (12:30am US time). I'm not sure how long it will take for me to get my bags sorted and find Gilles and get back to his house, and I'm also planning on sleeping for a good long time once I get home, but I'll be here to let you all know I'm safe as soon as possible! If I may ask, please continue to pray that my luggage makes it there safely, that I make it there safely, and that I have no problems with government officials or anything of that sort once I get there!

Once again, thanks for all of your time, thoughts, and prayers! See you on the other side! =)
À Bientôt!!!!!