Oh hey there Germany.

Well everyone, I leave tomorrow! In less than 24 hours I will begin my journey to Germany. I am so thankful for everyone's prayers and encouragment! I would love to keep in contact so here is my information. I am going to have little internet access so I promise to keep in contact when I can!

Hannah Stob

JMEM / DTS

Untere Dorfstr. 56

Ruppersdorf, Germany 02747

Skype: hannah.stob

Email: hannahjo4@gmail.com

I can't believe I have come this far. I can't wait to experience all that God has planned for me. I am all packed and ready to go.

Packing.

There is nothing like packing for 7 months of your life to make you realize just how much stuff you really have. This is my reality right now as I attempt to fit all my possessions into 2 bags. I filled up two of my space saver bags and don't really want to pack anymore because it makes me realize that I am actually leaving in 3 days. Yes, my friends, I leave in 3 days. It honestly hasn't hit me yet that I will be leaving and probably won't until I am standing in the airport.

I haven't raised all my money and I am very at peace with that. I was talking about it with my parents and they have graciously offered to cover the rest of my expenses (They are amazing). That is so great but the thing is I ddin't want them to HAVE to cover my expenses. And I told them that, I told them that God provides. They readily agreed and said that maybe God is going to provide through them. Wow. I had to leave right away to keep from crying. I am so blessed to have my parent's support through all of this. I think they are more excited than I am :)

Ok, I need to keep packing, I just wanted to update everyone!

Prayers would be greatly appreciated as I spend my last 3 days with friends and family. There are going to be some really tough goodbyes, pray for strength. Thank you all for your support and love!

I'm going to miss Chicago. We took a trip there to drop MJ off at her new apartment and it's sad that I won't be able to visit until I get back in March. I have had so many great memories there, from Church trips to visiting MJ to Saturday trips with Friends. I can't wait to visit again when I get back!

10 days of lasts.

Wow. 10 more days. I still can't believe that I'm actually going. Actually, I don't believe I'm going. I don't think that it will hit me until I am all packed up and standing in the airport. Or maybe not until I'm in Germany. Either way, I'm still going. Wow.

Today started "the lasts." There are going to be a lot of "lasts" that I do before leaving. Today was the last day I'll spend at my Opa and Oma's cottage with my family. We have been spending Sundays there together for years, it's going to be weird to have them all there without me. We always have such an amazing time, whether we're swimming, eating, or relaxing in the sun. My whole family and I were there today to celebrate Mr. Cater's 4th birthday. I cannot believe that he has blessed my life and so many others with his presence for 4 years. It seems like just yesterday he was a wittle baby sleeping in my arms. Now, he just runs and runs and runs until his mom calls him in. I am going to miss him and my other cousins too.

This week also marks my last days of work. Ahhhh so crazy! I am going to miss my co workers so much. They all bless me in so many ways; they are such an encouragement and important part of my life. I love them, they are the best.

And the goodbyes. I'm trying to coordinate as many goodbyes as I can but it's going to be tough. I just have to remember that I will be home. And I do have skype.

Most of my plans are falling together, I just have a few loose ends to tie up. And then packing. That is going to be a struggle but I am a GREAT packer. Just ask KK. I packed her life for Peru and she is doing great :) And I have my mom. Who is a great packer too!

I'm still in need of finances but I'm not trying to stress about it. Thank you so much to all of those that have helped me so far. Your prayers and support means the world. If you feel led to support me financially there is a paypal donate button on the side of my blog or you can email me if you have any questions about other ways to donate: hannahjo4@gmail.

That is also the email I will be using primarily while in Germany. Email, facebook, twitter, and skype are going to be great tools to help me stay connected!

Alright, I'm done, thanks for reading :)

I'm going to miss my cousins and their kids. They are all such an important part of my life, I can't imagine spending 7 months without them. But I know it will be ok. They are so supportive of everything I do and that means a lot to me. KN and SA are my second moms and two of my best friends. Over the years we have gotten closer and I am so thankful for the two of them in my life. I love spending time with them and their kids, it's always an adventure!

Now onto the kids. Their laughs and giggles warm my heart, along with their hugs. They are going to grow up so much in 7 months and that scares me. I'm scared they are going to forget about me. But I know I'm just being silly and they'll always remember me (I won't let them forget me!) Skype is going to be a lifesaver in that area :)

Hillsong and 2 weeks.

I need to get in the groove of blogging a lot, or at least every week. I want to make sure I remember everything I do in Germany. Which is only 2 WEEKS AWAY. (From Thursday) I can't believe that time is going so fast, it amazes me. I have so much to do but I'm slowly getting things done so that is good. I've really been trying to give all my fears and worries over to God. I will be ok, everything will be ok. I have a lot of money to raise but I'm trusting that God will provide and I know he will. It's just all in His time, not mine.

I realized a lot of that last night when I went to a Hillsong United worship service. Listen to them if you have a chance, they are amazing. There was a point where one of the singers talked about God being faithful. And I think I forgot that. Through all my fears, I forgot that He is faithful. From there on I kept repeating that He is faithful, He provides. And then I got excited. I know that in these coming weeks I will freak out a lot but I know that I can do this, it's all for Him. The song that meant the most to me was The Stand. "So I'll stand with arms high and heart abandoned in awe of the one who gave it all." God has done so much for me, He gave His son for everyone. I want to live my life for Him. I am ready.

I am going to miss my co-workers. I have worked at PGO for 3 years now (Maybe 3, I don't really know!) and I can't believe that I won't be there for 7 months. They really are my family. They are so supportive and encouraging for this chapter in my life (I think they're more excited than I am!). I am so blessed to have all of them in my life. I love that I can openly share my beliefs with them and that they hold the same. I had dinner with them and for the first time, everyone was there (Besides DP- you should have come!), even some that have moved on to new and exciting things. I am so thankful for them in my life. :)

Let the goodbyes begin.

Goodbyes are hard and I had to start them today. Yes, I will have skype and email but nothing compares to hugs and hanging out in person. I know that I will have to say a lot more goodbyes in the coming days but I have to keep reminding myself that it's just 8 months, everything will be ok. The reunions are going to be great :)

I'm had a rough couple of weeks. The realization that I leave in 20 days is hitting me- hard. I've been discouraged and on the brink of tears so much. I have so much to pay for in the coming days it's hard to imagine everything coming together.

But then I realized today, that everything will be ok. Yes, I will freak out multiple times before I leave but it will be ok. I need to keep my head up and remember that this is all in God's hands. He will provide.

I am going to miss everything about Michigan. My friends, family, Calvin college, GRCC, Mars Hill, Russ', work, summer nights, winter, fall, Christmas, Thanksgiving, Chicago (kind of MI), everything.

One more month.

Well, now it's a little less than a month. I can't believe I've gotten this far! I read through all my posts and laughed when I read, "I really want September to be here right now but I know when it does come, I'm going to want to go back to June." Because that is so true. I want to go back to June. I have so much to do in the next couple weeks, it's rather terrifying. But, I can't go back, so I will go forward.

Things are coming together slowly but surely. Thank you to all my friends and family that have helped me so far- with prayers, encouragement, and finances. I am almost half way there! It's scary to think that I need to raise that much in just a month but I'm praying and trusting in God that He will provide.

So here's to spending the next 28 days surrounded by friends and family!

I'm going to miss Holland and summer nights there. I love spending time with KK and her family, especially when there is pineapple involved. :) I feel like pineapple can be a symbol of summer. It's so fresh and bright. Love it. The map is in the General Store and is meant for people to document where they're from. I want to put a map in my house someday with push pins marking the places I have been. I can't wait to put one by Germany.