Feeling Anxious?

A few people have mentioned how scared or anxious they are for my trip. Here is a little something to comfort and encourage you about my journey:

"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

Philippians 4:4-7

It excites me that so many people are interested in my trip and are supporting me financially and in prayer. My hope and prayer is that in this, you will praise God, our Father!

Vacation Bible School

This week I am volunteering with VBS at church. The woman who organized it this year put me with the 5th and 6th graders. I've been so nervous about helping because I am not used to working with children.... at all. I have enjoyed the past few days with them- going to lessons with them, learning the music, doing crafts, and just getting to know them. It's awesome to learn about Jesus and the Bible from a child's perspective. Everything seems so simple.

I think there's something special about the kids I am working with. I've begun to notice how bold they are. They'll go right up to you and tell you or ask you something that's on their mind without hesitation. It's been really interesting to reflect on how bold and confident they are. I've been reminded of a scripture from 2 Timothy 1:7 that I've spent some time reflecting on a lot in the recent months. "So God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline."

Sometimes just thinking about the trip I am about to take overwhelms me. Flying there alone, not knowing anyone I am going to be there with, not having a lot of experience with kids, the work that will pile up while I am gone- all of that together can take a lot out of a person! As I prepare for this exhausting trip ( I say that because they flights there and back will total 52 hours!!), VBS has helped me to bring it all back to basics. The Lord has called me on this trip. He has an incredible plan for me there, but he has also been at work in a mighty way this whole year and will continue after I return. I think, for me personally, the Lord works his best when I am completely out of my comfort zone. I trust Him completely!

This year has been such a roller coaster ride of emotions for me. I love seeing how bold and confident these children are and I am so thankful for the opportunity to work with children before I go to Uganda! My prayer is that if I begin to feel overwhelmed I will remember what my VBS children taught me- to be bold and to trust the Lord with everything that I am!

Please continue to pray for me as I prepare for this trip physically, spiritually and mentally! Please begin to pray for the children, staff, and other volunteers that I am going to meet and be working with! Thank you Lord for such an amazing opportunity! :)

Checking things off of the list...

First, I am so sorry I have been a slacker at blogging. I am trying to get used to this.

I got to cross a few things off of my list this weekend. This isn't a big deal for a lot of people, but ever since college I've taken pride in my blood giving abilities. I love it. Maybe that sounds crazy, but I am good a giving blood. I've never been rejected, I am O- and CMV- (which means my blood goes to newborn babies, important right??), and it takes me like 5 minutes to fill up a bag. I like giving because I have a giant vein in my right arm and the nurses LOVE it! Every time I go I feel accomplished. They say you save 4 lives for every pint and that's a great way to live.

When I first considered going to Africa, I didn't want to give up giving blood. It sounds crazy. Who wouldn't go to Africa because they want to give blood? In December I asked the Red Cross employee how long I would have to wait before giving blood again. I was expecting the worst answer, like never again, but it was just a year! I can definitely go a year without giving blood!!

So, Friday I gave blood for the last time for a year:

At the Convention Center after giving blood :)

I also received my malaria pills today! They weren't expensive at all, and I was expecting them to be, so that was a wonderful blessing! I have to start taking them the day before I leave! I had to set an alarm on my phone because I know I'll forget! I have 19 days before I leave. Every day that passes I get more and more excited! It's like a dream that turned to reality. I can't imagine how the Lord will use this trip, but I am confident in his will! Thank you all for your support and prayers! I am incredibly blessed! xoxo

the song that started it all...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=acKTYIYT2os

What we'll be doing:

http://www.empower-a-child.org/eachome/outreach.html

This page describes the outreach programs I'll be participating in. The more I look at the page, the more excited I get!!

Philippians 2:1-5

"If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus."

With 38 days to go, my prayer is this scripture. I am nervous about a few things with this trip. My flight itinerary changed and it will take me a very, very long time to get to Uganda after leaving Columbia, SC. When I don't sleep a lot, I tend to get migraines. I think the only thing to do is prepare in advance for that. It still makes me nervous! My flight will be leaving Columbia around 2:45 pm and I will be arriving in Entebbe, Uganda at 3:00 a.m. Tuesday morning.

Pray: safe and easy travels, migraines, rest. Thanks!

46 Days to go!

"Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed. Rescue the weak and needy;
deliver them from the hand of the wicked." Psalm 82:3-4

Today is a great day to start my blog. I had to go to the Health Department and get shots for my trip to Uganda. I was really nervous about it, but my nurse Cheryl was amazing! My arms hurt really bad afterwards, and still do. I had 5 shots today: typhoid, yellow fever, adult polio, tetanus/diphtheria, and hepatitis. I will still need a flu shot and malaria pills! There is a lot that goes into traveling abroad!

I was also reminded today that the Lord is absolutely preparing a way for this trip. I hope to get into depth about everything He has done up until this point, but today was awesome. I was going over the list of shots with Cheryl, my amazing nurse, and she said that there was only 1 yellow fever shot left! Because I was the first patient of the day, I got it! When she told me that I felt my heart leap for joy!! I have run into a few obstacles with this trip, but moments like this remind me of how great our Lord is! Although today was painful, I am so glad to be reminded that this trip is in His hands! I will only be there 2 weeks, but just imagine what can be done!