A Travel Companion

You know I was thinking about something the other day. I have been telling everyone that I am traveling independently(alone) to Kenya this summer...that it is just me who is going. I realized the error in my words....it was like God was essentially saying "Excuse me, you are not traveling by yourself...You have a travel companion."

Whoo hoo...I have a travel companion...the best travel companion ever! Everywhere I go in Kenya, He will be with me. He is the best at making plans and preparing things ahead of time. He doesn't have baggage but is willing to carry mine. He gives me energy and strength rather than zapping me of it. He helps me speak and helps me think clearly. He's a good listener and helps me to process. He does so much more than that and I'm glad to be traveling with Him. In fact, I am glad that I have been officially traveling with Him since the age of 12 and this is just another leg of the journey...the amazing race. So let me correct myself once and for all.....God and myself will be traveling to Kenya this summer....I will not and could not go without Him.

So a short update:
I am tying up loose ends here...figuring out bills, making contact lists, still networking and scheduling, have to soon pack and clean, etc. So far I am not overwhelmed..Praise God for this. I am just filled with anticipation. I am so blessed by the support I received so far and I continue to be floored by how God moves hearts and lives to come along side me in this endeavor (I know I am being redundant in saying it but it is so true). The Young Adult group I am a part of has decided to have a bowling fundraiser..where part of the proceeds go to the The SKY Mission. What a unique and great way to help God and I get to Kenya!!

Estimated Time of Departure (ETD): 12 Days.

Thank you everyone!!

He delights in you!

Last night, I read Psalm 18. Psalm 18 is quite long with 50 verses total. I have read it many times before and even just recently but God had something to show me in this Psalm. When I read verse 19 the last four words hit me..."He delighted in me." The Lord DELIGHTS in me. The Lord DELIGHTS in you. It is hard for us to accept that Lord delights in us, it is something we don't hear from the world or get from the world. I've realized over the past couple years how much time and energy it takes to be a people pleaser...and at the end of the day those people are not saying that they delight in me. But by doing nothing other than just being me, the Lord says He delights in me. What a great love our Father showers on us! Our Father accepts us for who we are.

I've got the golden ticket!

Woo hoo!! My ticket for Kenya this summer has been purchased!! It is good to have it finally...I am so thankful for how God is being my provider. I am ready and excited to see what the Lord is going to do with my time there. He is painting on a canvas larger than I can see...I trust the Master Artist.

My Grandmother

I was able to speak yesterday at the church that my grandmother attended when she was still alive. It was a church that she poured her heart into and tried to all she could to keep it afloat in the years that it was struggling. What a blessing for me to share there and honor her in doing so!

About half the congregation remembered my grandmother and told me kind stories of their memories of her. I could not help but cry at different moments because I miss her so much and cherish her just as much. As a grandmother, she was a jewel.

I know that she would be proud of me and encourage me in what I am doing. She always loved me for who I was. I wonder if she would ever have expected me to be so totally in love with Africa....wanting to be a missionary....etc. Maybe she caught a glimpse of it while she was still alive...maybe she saw who I was becoming long before I even knew.

One month to GO!

Well...lets see what has been happening:

~ I have been spoke at two churches so far and have two more scheduled to speak at. God has given me confidence and boldness to go up and present what He has laid on my heart. I am excited to go to my Nana's old church and my old home church.

~I was able to visit a mission's organization that takes on independent missionaries. I had a very nice time there and was able to meet missionaries from Kenya who are on furlough. Through this new connection, I have received much encouragement and for that I am grateful.

~ All things are now in order for me to send off my support letter...so I am working on that. If you would like to receive one...please let me know.

~ God blessed my conversation with the mom's of the little girls I work with. I was fearful that they would be upset about me leaving but they were more than supportive. Praise God!!

There is many odds and ends yet but I believe in faith that it will all fall into place. Thank you for thoughts and prayers. Take care and God Bless.