Adios America!

(Friendly reminder: read to the end to see how you can contact me!)

Well friends, today is the day! My bags are packed, paperwork is completed, tickets have been bought, and goodbyes have been said (except to the rents). I can't believe I packed my life for the next 3 1/2 months into a suitcase, cary-on, and backpack. Whaaaat?!

It honestly doesn't even feel real and I don't think it will until about 2 weeks in. I can't believe how quickly this day has come. I feel like it was just yesterday when I was accepted into the program in Sevilla, which was way back in March. Again, whaaaat?!

(<-- Throwback to the first time I went to Spain)

I can honestly say now that I feel 100% more excited than I did a few weeks ago. Instead of stressing about the money, the what if's, and just the general idea of being out of my country for 4 short months, I am praising God and more ecstatic than ever. God has been so extremely faithful it's insane.

About two months ago I was have major anxiety about leaving; this semester costs more than a whole year at Cornerstone for me. Yeah that was a huge hurdle to jump over and a big glass of water to swallow. In the beginning of summer I didn't think I'd be able to go. But now I can't really turn back and I know God provides.

Let me show ya how He does.
Late June/Early July
Day 1: At the gas station I found a nickle lying on the ground.
Day 2: Out shopping with my mom found a quarter when I stepped out of the car.
Day 3: Out to Costco with my mom and I found a dime and a penny.

By the end of the third day I realized that this was God's way of providing for me. They were such little amounts of change, but it all adds up. Now every time that I've gone out; to get gas, grocery shopping, regular shopping, or going out to eat, I have found spare change. And every time I did I thanked God because I knew it wasn't just luck, it was God showering me with gifts. God provides!

In the Bible in 1 Kings 19:11-12 it says, "The LORD said, 'Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by.' Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper."

God doesn't often speak loudly, it's usually through a gentle whisper, the small and quiet things, like finding spare change. But over the course of the past couple months I've probably found about $5 in spare change. Yeah, you may be saying it's only $5, but it's $5 more than I had!

So back to leaving the country; I'm leaving around 9:45am for the Chicago O'Hare airport today, yes today. Mom is dropping me off at the gas station where I'm meeting another girl who's going. And there is bound to be some ugly crying, I already did about 10 minutes ago saying goodbye to my daddy. My plane departs at 4:20pm Chicago time and we are arriving in Madrid, Spain at 7:30am their time. So, due to the time difference it will be about 1:30am our time. The flight is roughly 8 hours long. From Madrid we will take a train to Sevilla and we should arrive there between 2:00 and 3:00pm their time/8am our time. (From now on when/if I mention time, it'll be Spain time. Just subtract 6 hours for our time.)

I will do my best to let y'all know ASAP when I arrive!

For those of you who'd like to talk to me, see my face via skype/facetime, send me snail mail (which I adore!) Facebook will probably be your best option or email. The email I use mostly is, you ready for it? Don't judge, I made it when AIM instant messenger was a big deal. daddysgrl61996@aol.com
Otherwise facebook, Skype (michaelarea96), facetime, or mail!
My address will be:

Michaela Van Koevering
Calle Pagés del Corro, 71-4b
41010 Sevilla, España
(Make sure you include the tildes and accent marks!)

Thank you all so much for all your prayers, encouraging words, and constant love!
Love you all mucho! Cya in a few months!
Hasta Luego :)