My Bags are Packed

It is really here! It is the night before I leave for Africa and I think I am ready. My big suitcase is in the car along with the large tub with medical and school supplies that I am carrying. My carry ons are wanting for the last minute morning things and then I head out to my daughter's house mid morning. We will then transfer all of my stuff into her van so that the toddler can ride with us to the airport. After lunch we will take a quick trip to Raleigh-Durham International to fly to JFK for the first leg of the trip. I have had several people ask me how long the flight is and I tell them I don't really know and I don't care. I just know it is a long time and I'll get there when I am suppose to. I sound very Ray like I think. Very spontaneous and adventurous while I always was the planner and cautious. I do think I have planned well, but I am going to be adventurous and see where this path leads me.

My church was commissioning a group that is leaving this week for an annual mission trip to Peru and I was included in this event. It was humbling to be one of a large group of called out people to go to foreign lands to share the love of God and the saving grace of Jesus Christ. I remember when I first became a Christ follower being almost afraid that God would send me to be a missionary to Africa and now I am so excited that God IS sending me to be a missionary to Africa. Isn't that a kick in the pants!! Oh, God can be so funny. God can sometimes turn our greatest fears into our hearts desire.

Thank you to all who have called today to wish me well and promised to pray for me while I am away. I will do my best to get posts out as often as I can. Pictures will come after I return.

The Blue Grass State

I spent the last week in the beautiful state of Kentucky visiting family where it was very, very cold. I had water bottles in the car that were frozen when I left to return home. As cold as it was outside, the warmth of the family visit was oh so cozy inside.
My Aunt Gladys became a widow at about my age, a year younger actually. Over the past six or seven years we have talked about what it is like to be a widow and all that it entails. She has been a great source of encouragement to me even when I was a little girl and now even more so.  It was such a delight to spend time with her.
My cousin Steve and his wonderful wife Carol were also so much fun to be with during my stay. They showed me some of the area sights, Carol and I went shopping one day and had our nails done, such a fun girl thing to do, and the last day we went to St. Meinrad's Archabbey for Vespers. What a Holy place. Listening to the monks chanting the Psalms during the service, I felt like I was in the courts of heaven.  What joy that will be!