I can't believe that I am already counting down the days. It feels like just yesterday that it was October and I was counting down the months. Time has gone by so fast, yet I feel like I've done so much in the last eight or so months.
As the countdown lessens, I have to say I feel like I am under an immense amount of stress. However, my mom says I am stressing out for no reason. But how does one girl pack for six months? I have to say that yes, packing is probably the thing I am most stressed out about. What items do I pack, and what items do I wait and purchase in Perth? My mind is going bonkers.
Thankfully, my good friend Sarah Atwell just completed her time with YWAM in Australia and had some helpful tips for me. I guess I just want to make the most of my trip and be as prepared as I can be so that I am able to completely throw myself into the experience instead of being worked up about not having the right sleeping bag, or having one at all!
Along with the stress of packing, comes the stress of actually leaving; my home, my friends, my family, and my dog. Oh Oscar... his birthday was yesterday by the way. I can't believe my little fluff ball is already a year old! I think I am going to miss Oscar more than I realize. Dogs are so loyal and faithful. I will be happy to come home to him.
My "summer" is only three weeks long, and there are so many things that I want to do before I leave. Luckily I seem to find time for them... now if I could only find time to pack. Last week I got to spend a few days at the lake with my best friend. This week I am going to the Colbie Caillat, Gavin DeGraw concert and I am SO excited. Colbie Caillat is without a doubt my main musical influence. I have gotten to spend a lot of time with my friends and that has been great. But, it's time to start finishing up my errands, and pack!
As far as logistics:
I got my plane ticket! That was exciting! I will be flying out of Charlotte on June 27 at 6 PM. I then have a layover in LA and then hop on a flight at 10:10 PM to Sydney (15 hour flight). From there, my journey is not over. I then have to fly another 5 hours to Perth.
I have to say, I am nervous...well, EXTREMELY nervous about flying internationally by myself. I have fears that I know are silly, but then again, they still linger.
My flight home is December 17!
Okay, so here's something exciting! My DTS created a Facebook group for all of the music DTS students to gather and "meet" each other before school starts. It turns out, that one of my fellow ywam-ers will be on the same flight as me from LA to Sydney! This was really exciting to me because now I have someone to go through customs with and buddy up with before getting to YWAM Perth's base! Yay! Jesus is so awesome like that!
Okay well that's enough of that.
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Here we go...
Well I think I've made it to the home-stretch. Okay, well that's what I'm telling myself at least. There are exactly 44 days until graduation. And these last 6 weeks are going to go by so quickly. Between our school play, prom, presidential fitness day, exam review, exams, senior breakfast, the talent show, and awards day, I think graduation will get here very soon.
However, let's put all the excitement of graduating aside. It hit me as I was driving down I-95 south how things are going to change so drastically for me in my life. I am about to leave many things behind me, there are the good and the bad that I will have to say goodbye to. For instance, my small senior class of 5 people and all the adventures we have had together, will be parting ways. Two of my classmates are going to the same university, and the other two are staying here in Charlotte. Then there is me, and my journey... these last few weeks are the last few stairs leading up to the door that I must enter. The door that is going to take me to the start of the rest of my life.
In about 9 weeks, I will leave my home, my city, my state, and my country to start something new. Though I know that YWAM is going to be a great experience, it is frightening in the same. Upon arrival back to Charlotte, I will have precisely four weeks. And then it begins all over... I then pack my bags and move to Boston, Massachusetts for the next four years of my life. Another new place, with new faces that I must adjust to. Another goodbye that too will be hard.
The hardest part for me will be leaving my mom, my brother, my sister-in-law, and my precious niece. I'm going to miss out on some of the pivotal moments of her growing up. Yes of course, I will come home at Christmas and summertime, however I wont be able to just jump in my car and go see them whenever I want. In fact, there will be no "jumping into the car" for me. Boston = subways and walking everywhere.
Now you may say that I'm just sulking, but I'm entitled to a moment of sulk. It's all coming so fast. But I have to buckle up and keep my arms inside this vehicle at all times.
Okay, enough of that. Here is an update on how things are coming:
The nice people at the Australian Embassy have allowed me to not send in all those forms that I told you about in my last post. So now it's just a matter of waiting to find out if I have been granted a visa or not. After that it's time to book my ticket and begin packing. Wow, packing. That's a scary concept. How does someone pack up for 6 months of their life in a climate that's going to change and weather I am not used to.
My funds are coming a long so I think, but the figure I thought I was going to need has grown from $10,000 to about $12,000. If you feel led to give, please feel free to check my other posts on how you can help!
Also, please spread this blog around, and my music site graceeggers.bandcamp.com
That's all for now :)
However, let's put all the excitement of graduating aside. It hit me as I was driving down I-95 south how things are going to change so drastically for me in my life. I am about to leave many things behind me, there are the good and the bad that I will have to say goodbye to. For instance, my small senior class of 5 people and all the adventures we have had together, will be parting ways. Two of my classmates are going to the same university, and the other two are staying here in Charlotte. Then there is me, and my journey... these last few weeks are the last few stairs leading up to the door that I must enter. The door that is going to take me to the start of the rest of my life.
In about 9 weeks, I will leave my home, my city, my state, and my country to start something new. Though I know that YWAM is going to be a great experience, it is frightening in the same. Upon arrival back to Charlotte, I will have precisely four weeks. And then it begins all over... I then pack my bags and move to Boston, Massachusetts for the next four years of my life. Another new place, with new faces that I must adjust to. Another goodbye that too will be hard.
The hardest part for me will be leaving my mom, my brother, my sister-in-law, and my precious niece. I'm going to miss out on some of the pivotal moments of her growing up. Yes of course, I will come home at Christmas and summertime, however I wont be able to just jump in my car and go see them whenever I want. In fact, there will be no "jumping into the car" for me. Boston = subways and walking everywhere.
Now you may say that I'm just sulking, but I'm entitled to a moment of sulk. It's all coming so fast. But I have to buckle up and keep my arms inside this vehicle at all times.
Okay, enough of that. Here is an update on how things are coming:
The nice people at the Australian Embassy have allowed me to not send in all those forms that I told you about in my last post. So now it's just a matter of waiting to find out if I have been granted a visa or not. After that it's time to book my ticket and begin packing. Wow, packing. That's a scary concept. How does someone pack up for 6 months of their life in a climate that's going to change and weather I am not used to.
My funds are coming a long so I think, but the figure I thought I was going to need has grown from $10,000 to about $12,000. If you feel led to give, please feel free to check my other posts on how you can help!
Also, please spread this blog around, and my music site graceeggers.bandcamp.com
That's all for now :)
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Doh! Prayer Please!
Yesterday I was very excited to apply for my Australian Student Visa. I got my YWAM acceptance in October but haven't been able to make any other steps to get ready since then. You aren't able to apply for a visa until 124 days before entering the country. Yeah, weird number...I know. Yesterday was 122 days, and me being the person I am, I wanted to be proactive and get my visa as soon as possible in order to be sure to get my visa on time.
So I finished my application, payed the big whopping fee and was ready to call it a day. Well the Australian government had something else to say. This morning I woke up to two emails from the Australian Immigration. They said a bunch of stuff that I didn't understand so much accept they did get their point across. UNDER 18. I have to submit some forms because I am under 18. Not only are they some forms, but they have to include my birth certificate, my mom and dad's marriage license, my dad's death certificate, and they have to be notarized and signed in the presence of a lawyer. This is adds a million steps to the process because I am not 18. But here is the catch..... I turn 18 TOMORROW. Had I waited ONE day, all of this could have been avoided. What was I thinking? Oh wait... I wasn't.
My mom is going to call the Australian Embassy and see if there is ANY way that we can bypass this. I will be 18 when I arrive in Australia!
So please pray that we can bypass all of this and that we have no trouble dealing with the Australian embassy. Please pray that if we DO have to fill out these forms that it will be easy and we will get everything done that needs to be done in a swift time manner.
Grace
So I finished my application, payed the big whopping fee and was ready to call it a day. Well the Australian government had something else to say. This morning I woke up to two emails from the Australian Immigration. They said a bunch of stuff that I didn't understand so much accept they did get their point across. UNDER 18. I have to submit some forms because I am under 18. Not only are they some forms, but they have to include my birth certificate, my mom and dad's marriage license, my dad's death certificate, and they have to be notarized and signed in the presence of a lawyer. This is adds a million steps to the process because I am not 18. But here is the catch..... I turn 18 TOMORROW. Had I waited ONE day, all of this could have been avoided. What was I thinking? Oh wait... I wasn't.
My mom is going to call the Australian Embassy and see if there is ANY way that we can bypass this. I will be 18 when I arrive in Australia!
So please pray that we can bypass all of this and that we have no trouble dealing with the Australian embassy. Please pray that if we DO have to fill out these forms that it will be easy and we will get everything done that needs to be done in a swift time manner.
Grace
Monday, February 13, 2012
The Closer, The Harder
WARNING: This is long, but I would love for you to read it all!
At my school there is a big emphasis in missions. There is an alumna, Sarah Atwell currently in Russia with YWAM Brisbane, a team going to Ireland from my high school, and of course me and me future endeavors to YWAM Perth. In each classroom, there are pictures of each of these groups. As I sit here writing this blog my picture is on the back of the door right in front of me. For some reason this overwhelms me... there is a reason I am on that door, because I am going to YWAM where I'll be in Australia for six months without anyone or anything that is familiar to me. As a three-weeks-shy-of-18 year-old, these big changes are terrifying. Never have I ever been so anxious and nervous about something. The unknown is the scariest thing I have ever faced. In the last year, it seems the unknown has become quite too familiar to me. The light at the end of the tunnel is that most of the time the unknown becomes the known; the future becomes the present eventually.
Thankfully I have my amazing mother to help me prepare for all of this. She has been so good at helping me get the things I need ready. Though I am unable to do too much this soon in advance, she has been my biggest supporter. Sometimes I think I take her for-granted. Well, I know I do. My mom is so strong; I'm a little unsure how. Like I have always depended on her, she has always depended on my dad, her husband. After being married to her best friend for twenty-eight years, he is no longer able to be her crutch.
Ever since my dad died on May 7, 2011 things have been very challenging as you can presume. My mom and I argue a lot more than we ever did but that's because we are learning how to change our relationship from just mother-daughter to parents-daughter. My mom has had to take on so much responsibility that she hadn't before and I am having to learn how to relate to her in such a manner.
It's been nine months since my dad died, and I have been doing very well, but right now I am feeling a breakdown come on. Right now, in my computer class at school. It's true that time heals, but it doesn't make it go away. I see it as a rock in your pocket; it's always there, but some days you can't feel it weighing as heavily as the day before. It's hard for me though because I am not sure how to express how I am feeling. My friends have all moved on, and I don't blame them for that. I'm the one dealing with it every day, and I feel awkward when I have an emotional outburst. I know there are those who want me to know it's okay to have those, but it's hard to know when it's appropriate. The even harder thing is, grief sneaks up on you.
My dad was my biggest cheerleader, and when it came to missions and my future he was like a super-fan. My dad knew that I wanted to go to YWAM and he wanted me too. If he were here, he would be the one helping me with everything, and though I am thankful for my moms help, I have to be honest.... I wish it were my dad helping me. I wish it were him helping me obtain my visa, go shopping for things I'll need on the mission field, and be the one to send me off at the airport. Yes I can tell myself over and over that I know he is here with me... but sometimes it's hard to believe my own words.
There are other pivotal moments coming up that I don't want to face without my dad. My 18th birthday is in 2.5 weeks, and this will be my first birthday without him. My first birthday without his sentimental cards that he gives me only on my birthday (any other holiday called for a comical card). I am going to be an adult (kind of) and he is not here to walk me through that. Also graduation.... I believe that is going to be the hardest day I will have without him.
Well the bell just rang to go to Bible class... Please pray for strength for me in the coming months.
Grace
At my school there is a big emphasis in missions. There is an alumna, Sarah Atwell currently in Russia with YWAM Brisbane, a team going to Ireland from my high school, and of course me and me future endeavors to YWAM Perth. In each classroom, there are pictures of each of these groups. As I sit here writing this blog my picture is on the back of the door right in front of me. For some reason this overwhelms me... there is a reason I am on that door, because I am going to YWAM where I'll be in Australia for six months without anyone or anything that is familiar to me. As a three-weeks-shy-of-18 year-old, these big changes are terrifying. Never have I ever been so anxious and nervous about something. The unknown is the scariest thing I have ever faced. In the last year, it seems the unknown has become quite too familiar to me. The light at the end of the tunnel is that most of the time the unknown becomes the known; the future becomes the present eventually.
Thankfully I have my amazing mother to help me prepare for all of this. She has been so good at helping me get the things I need ready. Though I am unable to do too much this soon in advance, she has been my biggest supporter. Sometimes I think I take her for-granted. Well, I know I do. My mom is so strong; I'm a little unsure how. Like I have always depended on her, she has always depended on my dad, her husband. After being married to her best friend for twenty-eight years, he is no longer able to be her crutch.
Ever since my dad died on May 7, 2011 things have been very challenging as you can presume. My mom and I argue a lot more than we ever did but that's because we are learning how to change our relationship from just mother-daughter to parents-daughter. My mom has had to take on so much responsibility that she hadn't before and I am having to learn how to relate to her in such a manner.
It's been nine months since my dad died, and I have been doing very well, but right now I am feeling a breakdown come on. Right now, in my computer class at school. It's true that time heals, but it doesn't make it go away. I see it as a rock in your pocket; it's always there, but some days you can't feel it weighing as heavily as the day before. It's hard for me though because I am not sure how to express how I am feeling. My friends have all moved on, and I don't blame them for that. I'm the one dealing with it every day, and I feel awkward when I have an emotional outburst. I know there are those who want me to know it's okay to have those, but it's hard to know when it's appropriate. The even harder thing is, grief sneaks up on you.
 |
| My dad was always so goofy |
There are other pivotal moments coming up that I don't want to face without my dad. My 18th birthday is in 2.5 weeks, and this will be my first birthday without him. My first birthday without his sentimental cards that he gives me only on my birthday (any other holiday called for a comical card). I am going to be an adult (kind of) and he is not here to walk me through that. Also graduation.... I believe that is going to be the hardest day I will have without him.
Well the bell just rang to go to Bible class... Please pray for strength for me in the coming months.
Grace
Thursday, February 9, 2012
The Best of Me - EP
In efforts to help fund my adventure with YWAM, I am doing anything I can possibly think of. Since I am going to YWAM for Music, my mom and I figured it would be a good idea for me to do fundraising with music involved if I can.
I just finished a short recording project with The Bench Studios located in Monroe, NC. The EP is called "The Best of Me - EP" It contains five songs which are all original songs that I wrote over the last year or so. I am very excited about this project because it is a long work in progress. I have struggled with writing songs for a long time but have had so many song ideas and emotions bursting from me, but finally I have something to show for it.
graceeggers.bandcamp.com is where you can go to listen and purchase the EP. Each song is $1.00, and the whole EP is $5.00. However, there is an option to give more when you hit the purchase button. All of the money from this project is going straight to my YWAM fund. Please consider donating to this!
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN
Excited
Grace
I just finished a short recording project with The Bench Studios located in Monroe, NC. The EP is called "The Best of Me - EP" It contains five songs which are all original songs that I wrote over the last year or so. I am very excited about this project because it is a long work in progress. I have struggled with writing songs for a long time but have had so many song ideas and emotions bursting from me, but finally I have something to show for it.
graceeggers.bandcamp.com is where you can go to listen and purchase the EP. Each song is $1.00, and the whole EP is $5.00. However, there is an option to give more when you hit the purchase button. All of the money from this project is going straight to my YWAM fund. Please consider donating to this!
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN
Excited
Grace
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
The Next Phase
College acceptance is among one of the most anticipated things for a person during their senior year. I have been accepted to all the schools I applied to (App State, University of Tennessee, and Berklee College of Music). I will be going to Berklee, however I won't be starting until fall of 2013. Before starting school, I am going to take a gap year. The following is a letter I am sending out to friends and family explaining what i'll be doing. Some of you will be lucky to get one of these letters in the mail! However I didn't want anyone to miss out on the opportunity to know what God has in store or me in this year and of course to be praying...
Dear friends and family,
Dear friends and family,
Looking back a year ago, I did not imagine that the decisions I am making today would be the ones I would make. This time last year my mom, dad, and I were making plans to travel to Brazil for the month of July. We would vacation, and then do the missions. However, I was more excited about the vacation part. I could see myself on a few short term missions trips, but the thought of doing anything over two weeks scared me.
When my dad passed away in May last year, every ounce of me resented going. However, the experience that I had in Brazil was absolutely life changing. I was given the opportunity to be the teams worship leader, and after the first day leading worship, I knew that missions would be a big part of my life, if not what I do for the rest of it.
I would like to ask you to join with me on this adventure God has by being a prayer warrior. Please pray for safety as I will be doing a lot of traveling, and also for good health. Please pray that I am able to adjust easily to a new environment. And of course pray for my mom who will remain in Charlotte.
 |
| Tamara, a precious girl in Brazil |
Thank you for all your love and support,
Grace Eggers
Grace Eggers
To support me, please send funds to Helping Hands Inc
Helping Hands Inc
1241 Briar Creek Road
Charlotte, NC 28205
Helping Hands Inc
1241 Briar Creek Road
Charlotte, NC 28205
Just a glimpse...
When I was in eighth grade, I blogged faithfully. Due to the craziness of high school I slowly began to dismiss that hobby. But here I am picking it back up again. This time, I hope it sticks. There are so many things going on in my life right now that It would be a stupid not to keep an account of it. I journal in a physical journal, but those are more personal thoughts that I don't think necessary to share here on the world wide web. However, my goal is to update this with practical things. Updates. Simple as that.
Senior year. What a funny, peculiar year in a person's life. Some days are full of anticipation for the end of this chapter, and the beginning of the next. However, others are filled with the sadness of leaving your classmates and teachers that you have come to call your family. Its the last year in your most pivotal years of life. And of course being a senior, teachers try to cram as much wisdom into your brains as they can.
Also, with senior comes decisions about your future. What to do next?
Well this blog is hopefully going to be a place where I can keep everyone updated on what the next chapter of my life is going to look like.
-Grace
Senior year. What a funny, peculiar year in a person's life. Some days are full of anticipation for the end of this chapter, and the beginning of the next. However, others are filled with the sadness of leaving your classmates and teachers that you have come to call your family. Its the last year in your most pivotal years of life. And of course being a senior, teachers try to cram as much wisdom into your brains as they can.
Also, with senior comes decisions about your future. What to do next?
Well this blog is hopefully going to be a place where I can keep everyone updated on what the next chapter of my life is going to look like.
-Grace
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