In about 15 hours I will beginning my journey to London, England.
I can't believe it is finally time to leave. Originally, this trip was to be taken late July/early August. That meant I couldn't go because of school. However, the dates were changed and I signed up for this trip back in December.
After a lot of fundraising and even more praying, I have the trip fully paid for. That is all because of God's gracious hand.
We'll be doing our "touristy" activities on the front end of our trip. So, we'll stay in a hotel in London for 3 days. We are doing and seeing as much as possible. Activities include getting a tour of Wimbledon, the Tower of London (where the crown jewels are), Buckingham Palace (the Queen will be there, so we won't be able to go in, but maybe I can get a glimpse of her), Big Ben, the Eye of London, and everything in between. Our last day in London will be spent taking a train to Paris and spending the day there. Yes, you're allowed to be jealous now.
After that, we'll head about an hour north to Grantham, England. This is where we'll be doing our work. We'll be doing community outreach and playing with the kiddos. Each team member is taking a soccer ball, 2 frisbees, and a basketball. However, we may get there and be asked to do something completely different. It's all for the Kingdom, so we'll put our happy faces on and do whatever we're asked of.
Our leader asked us to think of some Southern items we could take to give to the couple we are partnered with. They are doing a lot for us, so we want to be as thankful as possible. I am bringing Southern Living, a Mississippi magazine, and cheese straws. That's pretty Southern, right?
Right now, my apartment is completely full of boxes! I didn't realize how much junk I have accumulated after living here for 2 years. It's going to take a couple of Uhauls to get all of this down to Brandon.
I also had to pack up and move out of my classroom at Louisville Elementary School. Even in the 5 short months I was there I accumulated a lot of stuff! My very last day I had to turn in my keys and say my last goodbyes to my colleagues. I actually teared up! I honestly couldn't have asked for a better first job. It was a great transition, good comradery among the staff, and a good bunch of kids. Yes, some days were not so good, but all in all, this semester was great. I will not miss that freakishly long drive every morning.
I ask that you keep praying for my team and I as we embark on this journey. We are all very excited about what lies ahead for us. Of course, I still have my health issues in the back of my head. I know God has it all under control, it's just those "what if" situations.
This time last year I was preparing to leave for the Philippines. Little did I know what God had planned for me last summer. Even though I had to come home early, I was able to go back to debrief. As I'm sure you know, it was there that I was baptized. It was in a parking lot outside of a church in Alabama in a water trough. It was the most amazing moment I have experienced. When I think about that moment, the song "Washed by the Water" by Needtobreathe comes to mind.
If you have a moment, listen to the song. It's pretty powerful.
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