Itinerary

Today we all received a more detailed itinerary for our trip from Visiting Orphans, and I feel about 100% more excited now! I was super excited before, but now that we have even more details, I'm ready to do a little dance, lol :) So, for those of you who are interested, I updated the Itinerary on the left sidebar if you'd like to take a look! I'm going to try to do a little research about each of the ministries we'll be working with and post what I find! Thanks for your continued prayers!

Passport!

I got my passport in the mail today! YAYYYYY!!! :) It did not take nearly as long to get here as I thought it would - less than 4 weeks actually! But it's here, and I'm thrilled. One step closer to Africa :)

WOW

This morning I had the idea that I should probably sit down and figure out how much further I have to go 'til I can make the first big payment for my trip by the May 25th deadline.

Seeing as I just graduated from college last week, I have been consumed by thoughts of assignments and deadlines and grades, accompanied by making time for all the usual graduation festivities (which included having my wonderful boyfriend in town for a week!) As a result, my focus on fundraising for Africa has kind of fallen by the wayside for the past few weeks (aside from my absolute frantic prayers that I'll have enough to make the deadline!)

So I sat down today and started crunching numbers.

And I was ASTOUNDED.

Out of the total $3,400 needed for the trip, the amount that I need to raise by May 25th is $2,200.

Wanna know how much I have right now?

$2,247

:)

WOW. To say that I am amazed, is an understatement. I cannot even begin to explain how grateful I am for all the family and friends that have helped get me to this point. I never expected such an outpouring of love and support. You guys are amazing :)

Beyond that, I am astounded at the way in which God has blessed me and proven Himself faithful. I guess I really shouldn't be all that surprised...He has always provided, and always will. I'm really just...astounded. Again.

So...I'd like to give a huge THANK YOU to all my friends and family for your prayers and support (please keep praying!) and an even bigger THANK YOU to God for blessing me beyond belief.



P.S. Keep checking back for more updates! Now that I'm done with school, this trip is becoming my main focus, so I'll be tracking my progress a little more faithfully! :)

Passport

I FINALLY got my passport application turned in on Tuesday! It's really quite pathetic how horrible my procrastination is...I've been meaning to get it turned in for a month now. But, it's on its way and I should have it back in about 4 weeks! Woo hoo!

DONE!

All my support letters are done!!! Finally :) Now I'm off to the post office before I have to go tutor!

 

He's Alive!

Happy Easter everyone!

I saw this video on my friend's Facebook page a while back, and it has stuck with me to this day. It's a long, but beautiful song, and it still gives me goosebumps. Listen to the lyrics, I've also posted them below. Have a blessed Easter! :)




I went to the place He was dining to pour my life on my love
I wrapped my hair around Him and the fragrance drifted up
I didn’t even noticed when the beast began to judge
His love is out of this world and I’m totally undone

He’s alive, He’s alive, and I’ve only just begun to worship Him!

I went to the place where they laid Him, to look upon His face
Angels in garments blazing were standing in His place
I asked them, "Where’s my Lover? Have you hidden Him from me?
Cause I've so much more to give to The One, Who set me free"
They said...

He’s alive, He’s alive and you’ve only just begun to worship Him!

Now I go to places He lingers and I follow Him in my song
I feel His breath on my fingers as I lift Him up
I know this is just the beginning of this wonderful wave
We are riding on a ribbon of never-ending praise

He’s alive, He’s alive and we’ve only just begun to worship Him!

Break us open - we’ve got so much for You!
Won’t You break us open
We want to pour it all on You!
Break us open, break us open, break us open!
Break us open, break us open, break us open!

You’re alive, You’re alive and we’ve only just begun to worship You!

Baby Steps

As of two minutes ago, I am one baby step closer to getting my support letters sent out. All 40 envelopes are labeled and stamped, including the 40 additional self-addressed envelopes. Whew! Now just to finish typing/printing the actual letters. (Details, minor details...)

I thought I would be way further ahead than I am at this point, but, I did get a major presentation done for my Science class last week, and got an A+ on it. I went in to school for the party my class threw for me to celebrate the end of my Residency. I made a presentation for them of my pictures of Maui, and we talked about rainforests, and sea turtles, and whales, and lava tubes, and islands (how convenient that during my Residency I taught units on the rainforest and animals, and that they're currently learning about landforms!) ;) I also tackled a major special surprise yesterday, with niece Mykenna's help, for boyfriend Mike and sister Tricia (no, not a nun, my actual sister) since they will be at work on the slope for Easter. That package is going out today.

So, we're making progress folks. Baby steps. One down, many more to go!