Adventure (and Allume) Awaits

All it took was for my trembling finger to click on the "Pay Now" button.  Let the adventure begin.

Shall we back up a moment?  At the beginning of this year, I prayed for a word, any word, that God would use to define 2012 for me.  That word was "ADVENTURE".  First, I thought it was this thing, and then that, but nope.  That may be what Jamie had in mind, but not God.  And then it was the last of April and I was tapping my figurative foot, watching the time pass and saying, "Okay, God, it's April already.  One third of the year is gone and no adventure in sight."  I looked high and low for adventure wanting to find it, afraid I'd already missed it somehow. 

Then it was presented to me on a silver tray.  Well, maybe not a silver tray, but a blog post I read.

Are you ready to know what the adventure is?  C'mon.  You know you do.  Say please.

Well, since you asked so very nicely...

ohmygoshohmygoshohmygoshohmygosh.  I can't believe I actually clicked the "Pay Now" button, but click it I did.

I'm excited (so, so excited) about my adventure, but I'm also scared out of my wits.  I really, really dislike flying, I've never been to Pennsylvania (or the anywhere further east than Wichita, Kansas) and I will know not a soul there.

Do I really belong there?  According to the thoughts rolling through my head at tornado-like speeds, no, not in any way, shape, or form.  I'm not a big-time blogger, I'm not the best writer as I favor parentheses, exclamations marks and frequent emotional outbursts way too much, and I'm terrified I won't belong.  I don't have a professional-style camera, a laptop, or even business cards with my blog name on them.  I have no idea what "branding" is, I don't tweet and I'm petrified I'm going to be way in over my head.

That's how I know I should go.  When those self-doubts start rolling around, that's when I know that God has orchestrated this.  No, I can't do this on my own power.  I would be tucked up in the fetal position under a table cloth in the corner.

This October, I'll be swallowing my fear, jumping on a plane and heading off to explore wild Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.  Actually, it will be more like exploring the wilds of the hotel conference center.

Care to join me?  I will desperately need a friendly and familiar face.  Okay, maybe desperately need is a little too dramatic, but would it make you feel better if I said, I will need you only a smidgen?

While you're mulling it over, I'll be going through my closet and deciding what to wear.  It's never too soon to start packing.