Martin Luther King Jr. once said "Faith is not seeing the whole stair case but still taking the first step." I found this quote on pinterest about half-way through my time abroad after I had already formulated a theory about stairs. Malika Joell Onstaid said over and over for the last 3 months physically and metaphorically "The scariest stairs lead to the best views."
I can easily say that my study abroad experience has ben one big scary stair case. A little over one year ago I had the faith to take the first sstep and apply for study abroad and let me tell you I had no idea it would lead me tto become the person standing at the top of this staircase. Along the way I have all of these memories of moments, milestones and ecen real staircases that were steps along the way. I'm hoping I can keep these close to in order, but I make no promises.
When I climbed the steps onto the coach that pulled away from Manchester airport driving on the LEFT side of the road I was scared out of my mind, I couldn't do this, I needed (wanted) to go home as soon as possible. The next stairs were in the Westminster hall of the Chancellor's Building to connect with Meredith, who introduced me to Sierra, who then connected up with Alyssa and Hannah which led to the next set of scary steps and (almost accidentally) the best friends I could ask for during my time abroad, I love those girls. Cardiff Castle held those scary steps and in my first attempt at them I actually chickened out but I made it up the second try with moral support of the girls. I took steps up the lecture hall of my math class and introduced myself to someone instead of hiding in the back. The stairs to the Chapel brought me all sorts of amazing things, the communities of Sacred Space, the Christian Union, Jesus Jam, and the TEN:15 service. I remember the first time I met Kat, Jo, Katie and Nellu at Ruth's house. I remember the first time I talked to Beccca at a Lunch Bar. I remember when Jemma came up to talk to me about the class we have together. I remember climbing into LeeAnn's car to go to Manley Mere, I have to say Becca talked me into that scary step but I got to know Lillian, Abi, LeeAnn, Jo Hawker, Beca and Ruth even better and I am grateful for every scary step and every time I fell (or jumped) into muddy water because it brought me closer to those girls. Dublin had more stairs but just as many gorgeous views to go with them. London found a step towards my independence when I took train there and back by myself and navigated the tube by myself. These were also great steps in the direction toward self confidence. Along the way slowly but surely (I didn't realize at the time) I was taking steps in my faith and in growing my relationship with God. Paris had the steps up Notre Dame, the steps up the Eiffel Tower and the steps through Versailles but it also gave me Bed Bugs which really caused me to step up and face a new challenge as I moved up my personal growth staircase ever so slightly further.
Beyond this I cannot put into words the amazing experience I have been on. I know that I will treasure every moment of the journey for the rest of my life. None of it would have happened without a little faith to take that first step. Some moments were really scary those first couple of weeks each day was a massive hurdle to be overcome. WIthout sounding too self-involved I am proud of myself for where I have come from where I was when I was homesick and miserable to the thriving person that was sad to leave the friends she had made.
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