Random musings about moving to Luxembourg

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Random snippets of writing from snatched moments in time in this transition. 

From my survey trip to Lux: 

And here we are, sitting in the Luxembourg office in a board room. Typing away on a borrowed computer. Waiting for a new colleague to wrap-up so we can grab a drink together. Looking out over the city I’m soon to call home. What a week. An exhausting, incredible, terrifying week. Last night I had the fanciest dinner of my life. A random invite from a very senior colleague, a brand new senior colleague, and three industry partners. It was overwhelming and amazing, but provided the clarity I needed. I'm moving to Luxembourg! 

From when I was still in Boston: 

My hand paused on the door know of my house, unwilling to open it. Once I crossed the threshold, nothing would ever be the same again. 

I've felt that all morning. From the moment I paused before crawling out from the warm sheets, to stepping in the shower, to now leaving the house.  I'm embarking on a grand adventure, sure. But I'm also making possibly the biggest decision of my life. And my life can never go back after this. 

So I opened the door and took the step. The last day I'll go to church, or sing in choir, or walk by the nursery as I am. Because once my decision is made, life is split into goodbyes or regret. 

My mind swirls with to-do list. Target run, Amazon deliveries, book an Uber. But the weight of the decision. Is it the right one? Will I forever regret if I don't accept it?

The Lord has cleared every obstacle out. From giving me the position, to this survey trip, to extending my decision time... I know my path forward, but I'm terrified for it. 

Every song on the radio was for me this morning. It's gonna be ok. I'll praise you in the storm. I am loved. 

So here we are. Typing furiously in the sermon. But let's go to Lux. 

From the flight back to Lux: 

Reality has hit. The same happened with my Boston move. I was going back and forth a bit, but I vividly remember the drive out on Jan 1, 2022. It was my final trip after a bit of back and forth. 

That is today. My final trip to the USA for a while. I'm committed here, and Europe does feel like home. I'm ready for my things and I'm ready for the routines. But it is refreshing - to be served a glass of ice water, and to understand the language and customs around you. 

But Europe has made me more resilient. My observance has increased as I try to blend in. So has my language capabilities. And my ability to navigate new cities. 

But today is sad. I'm leaving the high of amazing colleagues capped off with seeing my parents. I forget their quirks, but there is comfort in the familiar. A comfort I won't have much longer as this flight descends into the Schengen. 

From this past Sunday, waiting for a ride: 

I perch on the corner of the stone wall in front of my house. The Sunday silence is broken only by what I assume is the hooting of an owl, followed by the little pin pricks of sound from the light rain on my plastic coat. In this isolated corner, not even a cat can be heard. The isolation, the silence. It is truly deafening. 

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