Last Night In America

So, I'm laying in bed about fifteen minutes ago and my wife asks me, "Are you excited?" I answered back, "No. I'm tired." Fifteen minutes later, here I sit on the computer posting one last update on the blog before we start our journey!

It's almost 11:30pm and we've got to get up at 5:30 in the morning. Then, its off to Pastor Chuck's house where we'll assemble the team, load up our luggage, and hit the road for Vegas. Excited? I wish I could fast forward the next six hours and just hit the road already!!

Today was filled with last-minute activity just knowing the whole time that I'll probably forget something of vital importance and just have to make do on the other side of the world without whatever it is... I'd probably forget my head at home if it weren't so firmly attached to my shoulders. Megan and I packed up our suitcases, along with our supply suitcases and our carry-ons. Now they're all sitting neatly by the front door waiting for us to grab them on the way out in the morning.

I think I got all the suitcases under the 50 lb. limit, but my carry-on weighs more than I do! I started with a change of clothes just in case... you never know what's gonna happen to the luggage between Munich and Sofia :-) Then, my Bulgarian/English bible went in followed by snacks. Now, my wife was incredibly generous with her snack purchases this year (probably because her daughter is going!) and I didn't know where to put them all! I ended up splitting them between the carry-on and my suitcase, so I'll be eating well on the way home too... As you can see by the picture, If anybody on the team is suffering from malnutrition, I've got it covered! Finally, I tossed a few books in to keep me company and stuffed some basic meds and such in the outer pockets. Tomorrow morning, I'll toss in my tablet PC and 3 extra batteries, which I'll be charging all night. If I get on the plane and it starts leaning toward the side I'm sitting on, you'll know why! ;-)

Hopefully, everybody else on the team is nestled snug in their beds right now dreaming of куфте (kufte... Bulgarian sausage patties). Megan went to bed an hour or two ago, but who knows if she's actually sleeping! I'm assuming everybody's packed by now, but it wouldn't surprise me if one or two people were still up trying to stuff in one more thing without going over 50 lbs. I talked to Pastor Chuck, Linzi, and Kenne today and they're all packed up and ready to go. On the other hand, Joey was going for the last minute pack like I usually do (don't know why I started yesterday... I usually wait until about an hour before leaving!). I hope Shae, Richard, and Marinna are good to go... guess we'll see in the morning.

Well, enough of my late night rant. I'll take some pics on the trip and post an update as soon as possible. If wireless internet doesn't cost too much, I may post an update from one of the airports. Otherwise, we're supposed to have internet where we're staying in Sofia, so I'll fill you all in when we get there.

I guess I'll try to get a little sleep tonight, or at least close my eyes for awhile and think about Bulgaria...

лека нощ (leka nosht... good night)