Last Week in the U.S.

Well here it is Wednesday night and I leave Saturday morning. This week has been pretty hectic so far trying to say bye to people...making sure they are good good-byes like I learned at MTI. I left MTI a bit more scared than when I arrived there as the reality of leaving had hit me and that is so hard. I hate having to say bye to my family and my friends...to leave them behind. I had started to become much more anxious about leaving instead of excited because I was scared to let go and head to the D.R. when I haven't had much detail about things going on there. But I was sitting in the doctor's office Monday morning getting my last shots and what not and it just hit me...I am so blessed! God has prepared the way for me in the D.R. and He is not going to just drop me off there and leave me. This one quote continues to stick out in my mind, "God doesn't call the equipped, He equips the called." I had begun to let the fear of my departure take over and the excitement was slowly going away. But that morning in the doctor's office the Lord just kind of tapped me on the shoulder and said, "I am here." How refreshing it was to be reminded of that. God is continually with us...everywhere we go. I got home that afternoon and had received an email from my supervisors in the D.R. giving me all sorts of information and affirmation. I needed to hear it so badly as I have been feeling a little unsettled. God is so good and He is so faithful. Even as I had been dreading leaving and facing a whole new culture, the Lord showed me who He is and that I have nothing to be afraid of, but that I should fully embrace every aspect of this experience. So now, with God's help, I am ready to head to the Dominican Republic and serve my Lord!

Getting Ready to Head Out

I'm at the beach with my family making more good memories to take with me to the D.R. and in the midst of all the fun and laughter I can't stop thinking about what is it come. In just 9 days I will be a missionary in the Dominican Republic. I have been dreaming about this for so long, talking about how things will be next year; everything God has in store for me and all that I will experience. Now it's how things will be in a week and a half. As I think about that so many emotions run through my head. I'm scared and excited, happy and sad, overwhelmed yet somehow calm, too. Scared to go to a place outside of my comfort zone but excited to experience a different culutre and work in some amazing ministries. Happy to be doing what God has called me to do, but sad to leave my family and friends that I am so close to and love so much. Overwhelmed still just trying to process everything I learned at MTI (Mission Training International) about cultural differences, but calm because I know God is right next to me and I have so much support back home. During this time as I continue to prepare for my year away I ask that you would please keep me in your prayers. I have been greatly blessed with this opportunity and can't wait to share it with you.

First Blog

I am beginning my blog as I start off on my journey into the Dominican Republic this summer. Please bare with me as I learn the ropes of blogging.