Well, I am here!
WHAT!?
It's actually happened. I've arrived. I'm in one piece and none of my luggage was lost! However, I was uncertain of that when my guitar was no where to be found in the Brussels airport. Luckily, it had been placed in an over sized baggage area. For the most part, my flights were uneventful. For that, I am thankful. After I had arrived in Brussels, I got the privilege of standing in the border patrol line for 1.5 hours. After 18 hours of travel, I can certainly tell you that it was close the last thing I wanted. Luckily, when my time came to go through, I had no problems. Clare Darnell greeted me at the airport and helped me with my luggage and surviving my first trip using any public transportation. I'm spoiled, I know.
Now, you're probably wondering why I've titled this post as I have. That's the first thought I had when I hopped off the train in Leuven. As Clare and I struggled to bring along my massive amount of bags, we walked out of the train station, and I got my first view of the city. Silence was all I could manage. My eyes darted back and forth, trying to comprehend all that surrounded me. Clare asked me what I thought. I gathered my scattered brain, and the first two words I thought of were "Disney World." Fortunately, I answered in a little more clarity than that. I then explained how I felt like I had walked into Epcot Center in Disney World. You know, that place where all the countries have their own little presentation, where they give "accurate" descriptions and representations of that particular land/culture.
For a second, I suppose that seems a decent enough thought to have when one has never been to Europe before in their lives. But as I reflected upon it, I came to the conclusion that I hope I lose the mindset quickly. As I am still in a sense of denial about my year here, I feel as if my thought was dangerous. Why? Well, to me, having the thought of walking into Walt Disney World, explains how I could view the year ahead of me. I could see it as this source of entertainment, a place of new and exciting adventures. All in all, that is not bad. What's bad is the idea that you can just "leave." When you go to Disney World, you arrive for a week or so, and then once you're decidedly done, you leave. You just walk away. That's not why I'm here. I'm not here for the change of scenery. I'm here to help Him change hearts, for Him to work through and change me for His glory.
As I am here, I believe I can finally say that I'm excited for my Gap year. Never giving a straight answer to the question, "Are you excited!?" was how I lived my last month in America. There's so much unknown about the year ahead,through which instead of worry, I'm excited to see God carry myself and the rest of the people here in Leuven. One of those situations comes in the form of being homeless in about 2 weeks. I know, it's a weird statement. Currently, when my Gap year starts, there isn't a house or apartment in which myself, the other female Gapper (Risa Piene), and Clare Darnell could live. I helped look at an apartment with Clare and Sam Geleyn (Gap Program Director in Leuven) last night. It was REALLY nice. I certainly hope we can get it. Either way, this is definitely the most important issue that needs to be worked out. God will provide.
I'm certain I could go on for awhile about the newness of it, but I must be off! It's time to pack for Scotland. That's right. I'm here for 24 hours, and I'm off gallivanting to another country! Yay! I'm getting quite the European tour already! I'll be attending a two day conference called Student Worker Outreach Training. I'm pumped! Catch you all later! God bless.
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