Howdy!!

So, in my last post I said we had 26 days until we leave...WRONG! I should have put 19 days which means today it only makes 13 days!! I cannot believe it! It hasn't sunk in yet because I am not in a constant state of panic. I'm sure next week will be crazy though. I am still tying up loose ends at work at Mercy Health Center since this is my first extended time being away (it will probably be my last one too!) I am so excited to be going to Africa. You have no idea!!! I did meet with a NICU nurse earlier this week to gain some knowledge about taking care of the babies, feeding them, when to take them to the hospital, etc... Hopefully all of the information will be useful. We are really praying about getting some new babies while we are over there which I am really excited about. To see the process from the beginning will truly be amazing.

I want to ride an elephant! It's on my bucket list and since I'm heading over to a land filled with elephants I think this is a great time to cross it off. My Aunt Delle thinks it will be disguisting and it probably will, but I still want to do it. Don't ask how this will come about, but "Operation Elephant Ride" has begun and hopefully we will be able to complete the mission! Getting on the elephant should be quite humerous since I have such short legs...video/photo op anyone?? Suffice it to say that it won't look pretty, but it will be loads of fun! Did I mention I'm scared of heights? Well, I don't care...I'm doing it!!!!

Here goes nothing...

God is amazing!!!

Can I just say that God is totally amazing!! I have been working really hard to raise my own money for this trip to Africa and let me say that it is NOT cheap. I have had two people so far just give me money for my trip without having to send out support letters. Well, last night a sweet lady who shall remain nameless sent me a check with quite a sizeable amount...$500!! Not only that, but she sent Amy a very large check to begin the fund for the new home that needs to be purchased and built. MANY tears were shed because we were all together when we opened these letters. Such a sweet note accompanied these checks. Sorry to be so vague, but suffice to say that God provides even when we don't expect it.
I cannot believe that I leave in 26 days! There is so much to do, but I am trying not to get overwhelmed. I will enjoy this Christmas with my family (the last one together for two years since MB will be leaving for North Africa...sadness) and then focus on packing next week or perhaps the next one since I am a last-minute-packer anyway. I hope that you have a wonderful time with your families.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!

Hold Fast...

So, I've already gotten in trouble by my sisters complaining that I don't post often enough. SORRY!! But I am a little busy getting stuff ready to go. THREE WEEKS from today we will be on a plane headed to London for our first layover. 21 DAYS!!!! Some of you may know that I graduated from dental hygiene school in June 2008. Since then I have not found a permanent position with a dentist here in Athens (or around it for that matter). I have just been filling in with different offices, but that was always touch and go depending on who went on vacation or was sick week to week. Well, when I was planning this trip I kind of thought to myself how humorous it would be if I found a job. That's what happened! I met Dr. Powell a few weeks ago at a fundraiser for my job at Mercy Health Center. He and I had e-mailed back and forth many times before because he supports us at Mercy and donate supplies. Well, I met him face-to-face that night and his wife was asking about my job situation. I told her that I had not found a permanent home, but was always looking for something. To make a long story short his part-time hygienist had to quit earlier than expected due to shoulder problems she was having. So, he offered me the position almost sight-unseen for two days a week. My first thought was that God was going to have me give up this trip. I wasn't sure I could do that, but I prayed and put it all in His hands. I met with Dr. Powell and he said that he could find someone else to fill in for the six weeks I would be gone if I would start filling in for him now and then be ready to start in March when I got back. Well, I didn't even have to pray too hard about that one...YES!! Not only does this provide extra money for my trip, but it also means when I get back I will have an immediate source of income instead of being totally broke : )
Everyone always told me to be patient - that God would provide the perfect job for me. Well, He did!!

Lots of things have been happening as we prepare for our trip. Uganda doesn't have any baby swings of any kind. You Mothers out there must know how trying this must be to be taking care of 13 babies without a swing. So, Amy got on Craigslist and found several swings in great condition. Right now, as I am typing this, they are taken apart and put into two suitcases ready for travel to Sonrise. I know that they will be so relieved. We are also looking into purchasing some other baby equipment such as an infant carseat and slings to carry the babies around. Amy has changed her tune from eBay fanatic to Craigslist junkie!

Please pray for us as the trip draws ever closer. I did get my shots (4 total) and still need to take my typhoid medication and malaria pills. Pray for our health. Pray that God will prepare my heart for everything that I will encounter there (I know it will be tough). Pray that we will be able to take in more babies while we are there. Pray that I will be able to gain some medical knowledge to help them take care of the babies that are sick. Just pray...
Thank you for everything and I love each one of you : )

Time is flying...

So, I just realized that we leave for Uganda in 40 days!!! I cannot believe it. If I think about it too much I get overwhelmed at all that I have to do. Packing seems like WAY too much. I still have to get all of my shots and medicines. I don't have all of the proper clothing or shoes. The list goes on. Then I remember that I serve a God who is in control of EVERY situation - big or small. He cares about everything - big or small. He holds the entire world in His hands! I cannot even fathom that!!!
I have been reading the blog of my friend Lindsey who is in Uganda right now working with Sonrise. It makes me long to be there now with all of those precious babies. Please begin praying for us now that the Lord would prepare us mentally, physically, and spiritually for this long journey. I know it will be tough. Amy has already warned me to just expect to get sick at least once or twice on this trip (sounds like fun!) I know that it will be very tiring, but I also know that it will be so very rewarding. No matter what I face, I know that God will bring me through it. So, thanks for praying for us. Thanks for reading this blog. And thanks for joining with us in our work with Sonrise Baby Home!