Breathe. And relax.

In about a month, I’ll be on a plane headed for a land far away. I have an adventurous and passive spirit so traveling isn’t stressful for me; it’s fun. Whatever happens, happens. But when it comes to flying with diabetes, I become incredibly anxious. Add U.S. and international customs (like with this trip) into the mix though, and I’m a ball of nerves. Once I’m through security, I’m usually able to take a deep breath and relax.

In this case, we’ll be in a part of the world where we don’t get to choose our meals. Rice and/or maize three times a day is a real possibility. I’m nervous about my blood sugars and what that kind of carbohydrate-intake will do. I’m not scared because I know what to do, but I am anxious and restless because of the unknown.

I made my checklist this week, even though I still have several weeks before my trip. I emailed my doctor asking for an official letter listing all the medical supplies I’ll have with me. I printed off the Animas and Dexcom forms explaining why the devices can’t be X-rayed. I even printed off the form for my Animas loaner pump and wrote out my list of things not to forget when it’s time to pack. I made my shopping list for snacks and glucose tablets, so I think I’ve successfully dotted my all the Is and crossed all the Ts.

The only thing left to do is breathe. And relax.

I hate feeling stressed out and overwhelmed. Airports and snakes are about the only things that give me this kind of anxiety. I wish they didn’t, but I’ve always had such horrible experiences with TSA (and snakes, too, for that matter) so the feelings are justified. This trip, I’m going to try my best not to be anxious. Even going through customs in another country, I’m hopeful to remain calm and know God’s got this.

Last night, we had a trip meeting and our leader said traveling with diabetes is just another thing to lay at the altar. I hadn’t thought of it that way, but he’s right. It’s one more way to trust Him. When I returned home from the meeting, Psalm 112:7 was written in something I read. What a perfect reminder to know peace comes from complete trust and reliance on Him.

“I have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord.” Psalm 112:7