peace.

PEACE. No, not like peace out. Not like peace signs at Woodstock. And not like peace tie-die shirts. More like, peace, defined by Webster as the freedom of the mind from annoyance, distraction, anxiety, obsession---tranquility, serenity.

I feel so at peace here. It is honestly amazing to me. Maybe I had to come half way across the world to truly find peace in myself and my independence. I am the kind of person that loves to be around people 24/7. I just hate being alone. When I'm at Elon I struggle daily with the fear of being alone, even for a simple grocery run or quick lunch. It just scares me and I can't really figure out why. The first day I was in Copenhagen, I felt more alone than I ever have in my entire life. I stepped off the plane and saw one familiar face, Emily, and thank goodness for that or I might have caught a plane back to the States without even leaving the airport.

When the bus brought us back to our dorm, I walked into a lonely room with a desk and a bed. The bare white walls seemed to be caving in on me as I realized how many miles I was from home. With sadness and confusion, I cried myself to sleep.

Yet honestly, within a few days, I have had a complete turn around. Maybe it is our Keops family dinners at 7:30 every night, or the new friendly faces that I meet in my classes everyday, or the sweet messages that I get on the daily from friends at home. I really do feel at peace. I am okay walking taking the 6A by myself and enjoying a nice quiet ride to school in the morning. I feel empowered going to my room and simply writing in my journal and debriefing from the days activities by myself. I thought having a single room would be my biggest challenge, but it has become one of my biggest blessings. It is teaching me that I am okay by myself. I can be happy without being around people every second of every day. I find my happiness from God and the power that he gives me. I am so glad that I can finally say this.

Yet I think my peace about being physically alone comes from the fact that I know I am not mentally alone. I have an AWESOME group of new friends here in Copenhagen that I am so blessed to have. They astound me every day with their encouragement, support and constant laughter. I also have amazing friends back at Elon and at home that have continued to keep in touch with me and love on me even though I am miles and miles away. I have a great family who supports me through everything I do. And last, but definitely not least, I have a God who watches over me and loves me more than I can ever fathom.


I could not ask for anything more. Peace. What a blessing it is! :)