Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Four months away

The year could not be going faster.  It is almost the end of 2012 already which means I am just a little over four months away from the greatest journey of my life (as of now, because I plan on doing many greatest journeys).  Preparing for this trip has been more than stressful.  Why is it that we constantly stress about absolutely everything?  To the point of exhausting ourselves?

First of all, I hate money.  I absolutely hate it.  Especially with over 20 grand of debt from college.  And it seems like no matter how hard I try, how many extra hours I work, how many commission pieces I do, I cannot make enough.  I find it extraordinarily sad that after working ourselves to death for four straight years, more and more college students struggle to make ends meet.  I count myself lucky that I have not one, but two jobs to keep me going.  And they are two wonderfully fabulous jobs with great people that I have come to love.  Plus I now have time to read books that aren't for school!  And even more time to do my artwork and get my website started!  But the travel bug has been tickling me lately and getting me more excited for this trip just around the corner.  And then STRESS drops into my lap.  The trip is already paid for and I also have now just purchased my new camera - Canon EOS 7D with a new telephoto lens as well!  It was a big purchase and I'm feeling a bit of buyer's remorse because it was a huge chunk of savings.  I have become so stressed about the funding for this trip, that I have actually worked myself into illness.  I now have constant headaches and extreme exhaustion along with a flock of butterflies roiling in my stomach.  Don't you think I would have learned my lesson by now?

Chris is constantly telling me not to worry, to take things one day at a time.  It's sometimes hard when you're looking at the big picture and starting to hyperventilate about all the bills.  And Chris just reminds me about how much I have been looking forward to this and how it's all going to work out in the end.  I have a wonderful family and support system that would never let me falter.  Plus, I got to see one of my best friends in the entire world this past weekend!  Sioned came all the way from Alaska to see me and I am so blessed to have a friend such as her!  And I get to go visit her before I leave for my big trip - going to Alaska has been another life dream, and to get to be there with her is just icing on the cake!  I also have incredible employment opportunities to work with big cats right here in the US upon my return from Africa.  So why DO we worry?  It's silly really.  I blame Obama.

I just have to remember Matthew 6:25-27, "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?  Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?  Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?"

So long for now,
~K~

p.s. Isn't this the greatest thing you've ever seen?  This is Samson - can't wait to meet this character!

3 comments:

  1. Love. Love you. Love the post. Love the verse. F&B

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  2. So so proud of you and admire your goal and follow-through. What an adventure that will never be forgotten! You just continue to grow in leaps & bounds! Yes, your heart is [at least] a thousand years old.

    Yo Mama

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