Two more sleeps…

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More gifts for our kids...
and the gift of peace from my friend!!
Because every trip we take in our family requires a “sleep" count at some point before departure!! So, here we go! Last night we did a dry run and weigh in of my packed suitcase and we are good! Forty Eight pounds of soap, gifts, toys for the kids, and a backpack of goodies for our girl, Ella. Also stuffed in there are gifts for a friends sponsored children in adorable drawstring bags, all prayed over and loved on. I had the privilege of sitting over coffee with her and my little printed schedule and hear about some of the wonderful experiences that await me. What a treat and a comfort to me to have someone who has been where I’m going share her heart with me and calm any remaining fears that were trying to come along. 


Packing them up...


Soap and Scripture for our Rwandan sisters
I love when God blesses me with “fast friends” that connect instantly with my heart. I always thought it took so long to develop a good friendship, but life has taught me the hard way that things you thought would last and endure can vaporize unexpectedly. I’m so grateful that God knows what I need and provides it at just the right time; like my family supporting me, even though I know they don’t really get the whole thing yet and are probably more concerned for my well being than they let on to me. Definitely that. But, regardless, there they are, hands out, hearts wide, sending me advice and love and support, helping me pack up soap and sort through plans, calling and texting and sending me off with love. It’s humbling to be loved the way I am, all around. I’m thankful, too for my church family, sending me off with their prayers and their arms around me, setting the example of how to live given and how important it is to GO and love the one. It took me over 30 years of walking with Jesus to actually GO and now I think I cannot get enough of it. I take my story with me and enter in to the stories of others and somewhere in the middle of that, we find how our stories are the same and how God came to redeem them. 
I can’t wait to see and hear and taste and love and hug and cry and laugh and stand in awe of all God will do in Rwanda this June. 


We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf.  Hebrews 6:19

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