I’m GOING! | This is NOT a drill

Well just a couple days into being back in Memphis, Tennessee, I received an email from my director that I had been given permission from Spain to fly and board the ship.

Surreal to say the least. Within the next couple weeks, my tickets were booked through Madrid. My parents helped me create a master list of things I needed to get in order and do before I leave the country. The Lord graciously allowed it all to go smoothly. Got my COVID-19 vaccine, got my international drivers Permit, International health insurance, finalized my 2020 taxes, applied for my “Real I.D”, and started my packing list. Its been a whirldwind; also have realized how 2020 allowed me to not face the consequences of procrastination on so much.

I think I could write a novel about how I feel, getting the news I can go after a whole year of delays, but also feel lost for words. I’ve been told countless times that the Lord is never late, always on time, and this is one of those cases that I’m leaning into trusting his timeline over mine.

Part of the reason I was pushed to the top of the list to consider going to the ship is that they need a photographer. They haven’t had a communications team member on board for months and months. The Global Branding Team has had to rely on other staff members who have other full-time positions on the ship to take photos to fulfill media / recruiting requests. I was moved onto a “critical crew list”. Like I said in my last post, it’s so evident how the Lord has prepared for this timing. I was able to get a lot of training that normally is given on the trip while in Texas; which is really helpful considering my team won’t be on the ship for another couple of months/ slowly arriving separately. It may just be me in the communications office for awhile. Hopefully not alone for long!!!

Ready for my second one-way international ticket in my life! The last one was moving to America. It all feels very very exciting and wild!

What’s the plan?

I leave MARCH 31st, arriving in Tenerife in the Canary Islands to board the ship. First I will be in a mandatory two-week quarantine aboard.

After that I will be working 50% my photographer position, and 50% in another department because they are short on staff.