Nearly everyone I meet makes some reference to all the wonderful people, places and memories I will make once I leave for my mission. However, in my mind my mission has already begun. The people I have run into during my different fundraising endeavors have been incredible.
This week I’ve been parked at a table selling Threads of Hope and t-shirts in the commercial building of our county fair. I met a woman who was so drawn to what I’m doing here that she asked her Facebook friends to come support me. Another woman who was with her daughter and 3 granddaughters, took some time to look through the bracelets. After buying 12 bracelets they decided they also wanted a few t-shirts. When she handed me a $100 bill I went to get her change but she insisted I keep it. My heart overflowed with joy because she had already paid me for the bracelets and only bought 3 t-shirts. We both teared up when I hugged her.
The woman selling Avon in a booth next to me has been an incredible inspiration to me. She introduced me to her son and foster daughter the other day. So I began talking with her about the foster camp I do in the summers, Royal Family Kids Camp. Turns out she has had foster children attend the one in Ashland County. Then she explained that she and her husband have 9 children! Some are biological and some are adopted, but all are greatly loved. I overheard her telling another woman about that she decided to quit her job to stay at home so that they could take in more babies because of the increased drug problem. As a teacher I have given my life to kids, but that’s only a few hours a day. Here is a family who has given their home and lives to children in need of someone to love them. Yesterday she asked how my sales were going because she had prayed for me all the way into the fairgrounds.
My life already feels richer and I’m still on American soil. In fact as I sit here typing a couple planning to travel to India for a year stopped to talk with me about her mission work in Kenya. It’s the first time I’ve heard that taking malaria meds works. There are just so many blessings bestowed in this process. I’m so grateful that God has called me to this and filled my life with such overwhelming joy.
