In The Air Again

India, that's where I'm headed. Right now I'm on the plane as I write this. (Which was two weeks before posting)

It's kind of fun writing this on a plane. I've never even travelled with a laptop before and now it's like I'm doing business on the go. AND there's so many empty seats I can spread out and use all the space as if I were travelling in business class.

I am on my way to give away at a conference what I've learned at school the past few years. This conference is for friends and church family of my friend Raj who runs the Rural India Mission in Vijayawada.

It's been hectic getting to this point ; dreaming, planning, inviting, planning, dreaming, inviting, and now finally going.

This morning as I boarded the train, I sent a message to my little sister, who, before my upset of not receiving a visa immediately was supposed to meet me in Delhi, informing her that I was in motion. Her response stirred me up.

« How are you feeling ? » she asked me.

Up until then I hadn't thought about how I was feeling, only about what I was doing, and when. That's exactly why I need friends and family with me on this trip, to remind me of what I'm not always great at.

So how am I feeling ? Excitement, joy, happiness, adventure : I love travelling, even the cueing up in airports, and sitting on planes, resting on the train while moving past new and beautiful landscapes.

I feel anticipation, hopefulness : I'm about to see and hang out with a friend I haven't seen for almost three years. I'm going to meet new people who I've already been in contact with. I'm going to get to see God move in more and amazing ways.

I feel anxious and unsure as I have not planned a lot of what I'm going to share, at the conference. I tried, i sat down with notes and book and took things down but it didn't seem right, so I'm flying by my the seat of my pants

I feel sad and alone that my sister's presence on this trip is not in person. I've travelled alone so much, in fact I'd say that most of my travels have been alone and while I've met some amazing people, I want, more and more, to share my adventures with others. I want to share the experiences as they happen, not simply telling people about them over a blog.

Even though I feel alone, I know the truth. I know that you're praying for me. I know that you support me. I know that you are here with me.

The emotions that I'm feeling are so mixed up : happiness, sadness, loneliness, excitement, joy, hope, anxiety that I can really only call it all the experience of life.

I'll leave you now, with tears of both gladness and sadness running Through the Beard !