goodbyes and stocker bears

Five days!  That is an accumlivite total of 106 hours I have left in the United States before I leave for sunny Barbados.  This is also my last Saturday here for FIVE MONTHS!  So what does one do on such a day?  Well, my free time has consisted of cleaning my room, spending time with my family, and painting my nails!  Yes, that's right; no longer am I under the threat if I show up to work with nail polish I'll be written up.. today at 1:03 I clocked out of the Eagle and Florance Starbucks for the last time.. atleast for now :) 
It was bitter sweet to say goodbye to a place and the faces that have been apart of my life for nearly two years.  When I arrived for work at 5:30 this morning Nanci and Erin surprised me with cupcakes, the most amazing bean dip ever, and a fruit plate that everyone enjoyed!  It was so so so sweet! Between the food, the sign, the store card, the note left by Lauren and Kala, and the "stocker" build a bear that will be my escort on my journey, and the wonderful book and note kathleen gave me, I have never felt so loved.  Oh wait, that is wrong.  Right after we finally slowed down around 11 my parents showed up with balloons.  Then I felt super loved.  I have spent so much time at the store, seeing the same smiling faces every day.  Working at Starbucks has been a God send.  Most teens in high school have some job at a fast food place that basically earns them gas money.  Starbucks was never that to me.  It was a place of daily miracles and friendship, not to mention caffine and loads of fun!  My coworkers are some of my best friends.  And I will never forget the way they touched me this morning and how it felt when I realized how much they really cared.  I am going to miss them so much. 
But, on the flip side, today was also a day of rest as I got to not have to worry about washing my aprons, or when my next shift is.  I was able to spend care free time with my family and focus on the coming week.  Now, with my metalic colored nails I am writing my next update.  There are several mile stones I have crossed this week as I near my departure.  God has given me an abounding ammount of excitement and joy over DTS.  I couldn't help but share about DTS with every customer that asked why I was so happy.  Also this week, I've connected with another student going to school.  It has been so nice talking to her.  I think we could be good friends pretty easy :)  which just excites me even more to think of all the friendships I am going to make at DTS. 
As I make new friends in the next few weeks, I will also be saying good bye to the old.  Tomorrow I will see a lot of people for the last time before I leave.  I am going to miss everyone so much!  (Especially my Mom and Dad) Saying good bye is never easy.  But as Alyssa and Kona and I decided at the begining of summer, its never good bye, only to be continued. 

With all this said (and this is a way longer update than I intended) I have a few prayer requests.

• WISDOM!  
• Safe travels.. my total travel time is 30 hours. It's gonna be a long one. (However I do get to see my cousins in New York on my layover so it isn't all travel!)
• Protection from getting sick before I leave!  This seems to be my Mom's biggest concern right now, and some prayer would help put her at rest.
• Awesome prayer time!

 I know it sounds weird to pray for prayer time.. but last week I told Sarah Chaffin that I had no idea what to do before I left because I wasn't working.  And she said "Pray, and pray some more" and I thought DUH!  How silly am I?!  I have four days before I leave where all I have to do is pack and hang out with people.  I know its going to be busy.. but I am still gonna have a huge chunck of time everyday to myself.  I am really hoping God gives me some words during this time :) 

Well, I believe that is all for now.. I will try to make another post before I leave in a four days and two hours!

Peace and love,
Bekah