2 1/2 Weeks to Go

I really hope we get better at this blogging thing once we get to Sang'alo... not that we'll have internet there. Maybe we can settle for posting some journal excerpts or something. I'd hoped to be consistent enough to "journal" things from the getting ready process - so many memorable things have happened and I want to remember them forever.

I think every time I looked up into the sky today I saw a plan passing overhead. Something inside me longs to be on it, as long as its headed to Kenya, of course. My heart just feels so full right now. I wish words were enough. I'm 2 1/2 weeks away from moving to Kenya for 3 1/2 months. My mind hasn't really wrapped around the idea yet. I've spent the past few months wondering if we would really end up going. There were so many financial goals that had to be met... payments that needed to be taken care of while we are gone. I raised my support for the 3 1/2 months in 2 months, and by the grace of God, most of my expenses that I'll have while I'm gone have been taken care of as of this past week. I have known in my head for most of my life that the Lord promises to take care of His children, but I think this is one of the first times that I've truly experienced it. Its really one of the most assured, steadfast, steady feelings of peace I've ever known... and that's pretty stinkin' awesome!

We are set to leave on September 4th. There's still quite a bit that has to happen. We've got a lot of books that need to be shipped over, but we still need funds to ship them. We can get some over, but not as much as we'd like. From what Leah told me, the USPS doesn't ship by boat anymore, so they have to be sent airmail, which is pretty expensive, but much quicker. When I think of building that library... 3 girls building a library... these kids will be able to read books they never knew existed and learn things they never dreamed of... it seems as though there's something almost sacred in being a part of that. I can't wait to read my own favorite stories to the children! :) (Especially " 'Stand Back,' Said the Elephant, 'I'm Going to Sneeze!' ")

I'm excited about meeting the donkeys that will bring our water every day and seeing the daily customs and habits of these people. I want to know them, I want to understand them. I don't believe that we are going to be the only ones giving... I have a feeling that we'll be coming home 10 times more blessed than the people that we leave behind. It seems to be what I've experienced in the past anyway.

I'm sitting here in the dark in my parents house filled with the most wonderful peace and excitement and hope... we have worked so hard to reach this place... we're almost there. 2 1/2 weeks to go.