Bear Creek

This past Sunday was my last time to be at my church for a long time. It was the day that I had been looking forward to and dreading for months, if that makes sense. I knew that it would be a great time of prayer and support, but I also knew how sad it would make me. It was a very encouraging time and I am so glad that Bear Creek is partnering with me in this endeavor. It will be such a blessing to know that my church will be praying for me as I prepare to go and as I am there.

I passed off my camera to Kelly Haynes that morning so that he could take pictures of the kids since I'm not in there anymore. He got a lot of good ones...here are a few:

At the end of the service, Brett called me up to the front. He said things that made me cry then had me open a gift from the church. It's an iPod Touch!! He said that the best part was yet to come because people will be recording messages for me (and maybe some hilarious videos too) so that I can download them and watch them when I need to hear some encouraging words and that people are praying for me. This is probably the most perfect thing I could have gotten from my church!

He then had everybody gather around me to pray over me and commission me for missionary service. The best part was that he had the kids come down first so that they'd be the closest to me. Those kids are just the best! After the prayer...and I really, really love this...Lion King music came on! And everybody laughed. I'm not sure that that's what's going on in this picture or not, but I like to think that it is.

Going...and Leaving

For the past year or so I've been SO enamored with the idea of going to Africa, of embarking on a new adventure. Throughout the application process I would daydream about all of the exciting things I might get to do, see, and be a part of. The possibility of not getting to go made the idea of going even more desirable. I continued to walk through the application process, hoping that the door would not close. I clung to God, his Word, and the peace that comes with obedience. After turning everything in (on time!), I waited. I waited for that email that would invite me to an interview conference...and it came! Then I waited for a letter in the mail that would give me a job assignment...and it came! And then the enthralling idea of going turned into the reality of leaving.

Leaving is hard work. There are so many things that need to be done, responsibilities that need to be turned over, and preparations that need to be made. As a top-notch procrastinator, it's hard to realize that, "Oh, it turns out I'm NOT going to get to that later because I'll be living in AFRICA." And that's pretty much the easy part of leaving. The hardest part is, of course, leaving your people.

I leave for training in 11 days. And while I am still excited beyond words to GO, I am right smack in the middle of being pretty sad that I am about to LEAVE. I have had a fantastic few weeks of spending time with amazing friends and family and that time has been so valuable to me. I have been so encouraged by people's words, prayers, and support. I love talking with the people I love about my upcoming adventure. And I love knowing that no matter what I am leaving behind, God is with me and I will continue to chase after Him!

Currently singing (belting out in my car): From the Inside Out (Hillsong United)

Everlasting, Your light will shine when all else fades
Never ending, Your glory goes beyond all fame
And the cry of my heart is to bring You praise
From the inside out Lord, my soul cries out