Preliminary Packing

239 days, 13 hours, 23 minutes until I head off on my adventure.
I know it seems a little early to think about packing, but I realized that I need to start a collections area, so that I don't forget those little important things...you know, like a passport, Bible, shot records, dramamine, etc.
I wouldn't be thinking about this yet, but last week I went to our church's mission co-mission meeting.  Many people there have been to Africa before.  One woman recently returned, and was sharing her stories.  As she told her stories, she spoke about the roads, the wildlife, and the incredible people.  I was very excited, but then reality hit.  I was reminded about the roads in Africa...and the "pot-holes" which are more like craters.  Last time I was in Africa was in 2000.  As I listened to Sonya talk, I realized that I'm not 21 anymore, and that I easily get car sick, seasick, basically any kind of sick.  I was also reminded about when I tried to buy dramamine last time I was overseas, and that was a first world country.  So, I decided that I should start collecting dramamine now, because I know I'm going to need it!  So, I have created a space in my house for Africa collections.
I will be taking two suitcases with me.  One for Village of Hope, and one for me.  As the time gets closer, I will let you know what I'm collecting for VOH, in case anyone wants to donate.  As for now, if you have any dramamine laying around that you're not going to use, I'm starting a collection!
I'm trying to think of those other random little things, so that I can start collecting now.  I know it's weird, but I'm already having nightmares about forgetting things.  Ideas of what I need to take?  Let me know!
It seems so far away, yet January is already almost over...time flies!
This trip is seeming so unreal.  I know I already have my plane ticket, but all I have been thinking lately is, "is this trip REALLY going to happen?"  only God knows!

The countdown begins

Today is the day!  The official countdown begins!  I now have tickets to fly to Entebbe, Uganda!
My flight leaves at 11:05am on Wednesday September 18, 2013!
I am beyond excited!!!
It's really happening!
Only 256 days, 20 hours, 33 minutes, and 54 seconds...53...52...51...

"Do you know how much people love you?"

This was the question I was asked as my friends counted the money from tonight's fundraiser.  Yes, I know that I am loved.  Yes, I know that I am supported in this endeavor.  But OH MY!!!  I was still not expecting this!  I knew it was going to be something amazing, because of how my friends were reacting as they counted...$1,233.51

CAN YOU BELIEVE IT?!?!  I can't!  It's still sinking in!

First of all, I was overwhelmingly blessed by this group of friends who were there as I was stressing about how I was going to come up with the money to go on this mission.  I shared with them one night, about how I didn't have enough money, and wasn't going to be able to raise the money for the trip as well as pay bills while I am gone.  But, even as I said these words, I knew that if God wanted me to go through with this calling to Africa, that He would pave the road, and make it happen.  And boy did He!!!  My session approved this to be a paid mission leave (like a sabbatical, but not a sabbatical), and my friends were already in the process of planning what would be a family fun night!  We had no idea that it would turn out like this!

Starting from the beginning, we knew we would have a good time, and make some money to go towards the trip.  I have super awesome, organized, crafty, good cooking friends who made this night happen!  I also have a super awesome supportive family, who was able to get a hold of Santa and his helper "Jingles" the elf, and have them drop in!

It was a fun night!  Movies, crafts, incredible things that people were selling, all to go towards this trip.  One friend has been selling her knitting and Christmas decorations, another selling crafts, and numerous people brought desserts.  All to go to this mission.

As they counted the money, I couldn't believe what I was hearing!  $1,233.51

That puts me over my half way mark!  I also found a few people to help in a variety of ways for the youth program while I am gone.  I still have 10 months to fundraise, and to find the rest of my volunteers!  God is providing!  God is going to continue to provide!

Even as I write this, I look at that number, and I realize that it is the same number that was given to me this week as a quote of what my airline ticket will cost.  WOW!!!

So, there you go!  "Do you know how much people love you?"  I am still learning!  But all I can say is thank you!  I am truly blessed!  I am loved, and I am so grateful to be the person that gets to go on this journey!  I'm not going alone, I have a very large group of supporters who are going with me in their hearts and in my heart.  And I couldn't do this without all of them, all of you!

And with joy in my heart, I say thank you!

Here are a few of my favorite moments of the night:  (I tried to fuzz out kids faces, since I did not get approval from families to post their pictures on this website, so sorry if the pictures look weird)

Santa reading "The night before Christmas"

The deposit

Santa and his elves support this mission!

I am so excited, and blessed beyond belief, that some friends in the church have put together a fundraiser for me!
This Friday, December 7, we are having a "Family Fun Night" at Hillsboro Presbyterian Church!  The time will be 5-9, and there will be movies, pizza, popcorn, babysitting, help with addressing your Christmas cards, gift wrapping, homemade marshmallows, and so much more!  It's going to be a fun night, and donation based!  Come, make a donation to my Africa fund, and enjoy a night of the holiday season!  Santa will be there from 6-7 to take pictures with kids and/or families!  Also, Jingles the elf will be making an appearance!  I'm super excited about this event, because even if it wasn't for my trip, it would still be a lot of fun!  EVERYONE is invited, so tell your friends!  Also, the pizza is quite possibly the world's best pizza!  It is homemade by Todd and Suzanne, and quite delicious!!!

Come for the whole night, or just a portion of it!

Hillsboro Presbyterian Church
172 NE 32nd Ave
Hillsboro, OR 97124

On another note, I started working on travel plans this week!  I now have an official fundraising goal, which is $5000.  I am already a fifth of the way there, having raised over $1000.  I will be figuring out a way to post here where I am with fundraising.  In the meantime, I am making a "fundraising thermometer" for my office door, so that people can see where I am.  Thank you all for your support!

Village of Hope

Today I met with Cindy Cunningham, the director of Village of Hope, Uganda.  We met for coffee with another friend of hers, who is also very involved with the Village of Hope.
You can learn more about Village of Hope by clicking here.  It's a great mission!
I first learned about VOH through my friend, Tammy, who invited me to a dessert at her home to learn about the mission.  Tammy had been making blankets for their ministry for years, and wanted to get others involved as well.  That following fall, our youth group made blankets as a part of our fall retreat.  Who knew that God would send me there someday?  But even sitting in that living room, I started to feel that "tug."  The longing to go back to Africa.  I went once in college, and it kept a piece of my heart!
So, I wasn't sure if God was calling me there or not.  I never really closed the door, but was getting excited about other prospects.  Yet, as all of those doors closed or came close to closing, I couldn't wait to meet with Cindy to see what she had to say.  Needless to say, the one thing that kept me from looking further into VOH, a project that I thought I would be doing, I had completely misunderstood.  She doesn't want me doing that, she wants me to be hands on with the people of the village, and to help in any way needed.  So, I will be there, be available, and be able to serve in a variety of ways.
So, if you haven't picked up on it yet...this is it!  I made my decision, and will be working with Village of Hope, Uganda, in 2013.  I plan on going after the fall retreat (mid September) and returning before CPYA (mid November).  Talk about a whirlwind!  I'm excited!
Please keep praying that this is the right place!  That this is where I am supposed to go, and what I am supposed to do!  Thank you!
And thank you for all of your prayers, love, and support as I venture out on this journey!  I am blessed!

Am I missing something?

I heard back from SIM today.  They are asking for clarification for some of my answers to the application.  I'm looking at the list, and I'm not really sure how to simplify.
This happened to come while I was at work today, so I mentioned it to Debbi.  She asked, "Did you think it would be this hard?"
No.  I did not think it would be this hard.  I thought that if God called me, He would open the door quickly and obviously!  But that's not how it works.  I know that God has called me.  I know that He has a place in mind, where He wants me to serve.  I know I must wait, be patient, and keep praying.  But I can't help but think, am I missing something?  Is there somewhere that I am supposed to go, that I haven't considered yet?  People keep mentioning places, maybe I need to seriously look into them.
I don't know.
So, I am asking you to pray for me.  Pray for this journey.  Pray that God will place me where He wants me, and that the door will open, and it will be obvious when it is time.  Just to be clear, I am not giving up on SIM.  I've come this far, I'm going to see it through the application process.  But for the first time, I realize, they might say no.  And that's okay!  I'm okay with that!  I just want to know where to go.
In the meantime, I keep fundraising, and it is going well!  A lot of people have been donating to this mission, which is incredible since I still can't answer where I'm going, or what I will be doing.  But I know that in one year from today, I will be serving in mission somewhere, waking up to something, and knowing that God placed me there, and enjoying the road that He took me on to get there!

Doors are still opening and closing

Today was a good day, with a bit of an update!  One of the places that I was feeling led to look into contacted me and let me know that they do not have a place for me to serve.  It was good to hear, because that means that God is closing doors, and is going to direct me to where He wants me to be!  Meanwhile, another place that I was thinking about closing the door to, but hadn't yet, contacted me, and the director is going to be in town next month.  So, we are going to meet for coffee and talk a bit about what is happening there.  God is at work!

On a side note, by the end of the night, my application with SIM should be finished.  I just have to send in my health form.  I've had some troubles finding my immunization records and losing the work that I had done on my health form and such.  But it is all together now and ready to go!

So, the adventure awaits!  God is still moving, and I am still listening!