After much anticipation and several hours and even days of packing, it was time to depart for Macedonia. All 44 volunteers met in Philadelphia on September 12 for staging. We are the 19th group to volunteer in Macedonia so we are called MAK19. Staging began at 12:00 pm for registration. We then had a break until 2 pm. Many volunteers flew from the West Coast so they flew in the night before for staging.
That morning I had my last meal which consisted of veggie omelets with orange juice and a cookies and cream donut from Shady Maple. I could hardly sleep because I was full of so many emotions. My parents and I packed my carry on bags and then it was time to leave. Saying goodbye to my home was difficult but nothing compared to holding Riley (my dog) one last time. He is a 9 year old Shih tzu and is a seizure dog so who knows how these next 2 years will go for him. After many tears it was time to leave and we were on our way to Philadelphia. I met other volunteers and said goodbye to my parents.
Last photo at home with my dad
Last photo at home with my mom (She tried to stay strong but the tears kept coming!)
Saying goodbye to Riley was so hard, missing this fur ball
Staging was from 2-7 and then we were free to have dinner and prepare to leave in the morning. We would be flying out of JFK and were leaving at 9:30. My parents came early that morning and took me out to breakfast. I am not good with goodbyes so this was the hardest thing I have ever done. We boarded the bus and were off to the airport. Out flight left at 6:00 pm and we would have a layover in Vienna, Austria.
Last photo in America, my parents dropping me off at the hotel for staging
Thank you to everyone for you prayers, support and encouragement so far. It is because of the amazing people that have touched my life that I am able to embark on this new chapter in my life. God bless!
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