preparing for departure

i leave in less than two weeks and it's so unreal. i have yet to pack or buy luggage yet. there are so many odds and ends to cover...it's overwhelming. i simply cant believe this is acutally happeneing. obviously i knew this day would come but it's stinkin snuck up on me. im anxious to just get over there. somewhat looking forward to the plane ride. i was reminded the other day that the flight will have movies. YES! its the simple things in life that excite me. i've met some of the other students via email and facebook. it's pretty helpful to already know names and faces. what an experience of a lifetime. i've just been really praying for the relationships i'm gonna form and the people i'm gonna come in contact with. who knows what God's got up his sleeve. i hope i have an opportunity to visit some of the orphanages. back in highschool i saw a video in church that showed kids living in the sewer drains under the road. and in the dead of winter. that broke my heart. ever since then i told myself i would go to russia someday and love on those kids. maybe this is my chance!