As I sit here getting ready to start back to work after a wonderful, week-long break, all I can think about is how grateful I am. I’m not sure what I have done to deserve all of this love and support from people, but God has truly blessed me. When I first started preparing for this mission, both mentally and physically, people kept telling me not to worry—everything would work out in God’s time and way. Listening to others’ advice has always been easy for me, but believing it is a whole other story. No matter what others would say, I was worried! I knew that raising enough money to go on this trip would not only be difficult, but might just be impossible. Man! I have never been more wrong. I’m almost halfway there and I’ve still got 5 more months before I leave. I’m not worried anymore. Growing up as an only child I got used to relying merely on myself. Yes, my parents are always there for me at any given time, but there’s something about being by yourself all the time that makes you feel like you’ve got to do it all alone. As the only child, I was taught all of the things, both the “boy” things and the “girl” things, so whenever anything needs to be done I take care of it, usually without asking for help. While fundraising is completely outside of my comfort zone, it has definitely taught me how to rely on others—a lesson I desperately needed to learn. I can’t wait to see what else is to come, and I am so appreciative of all the people who continue to care for me each and every day. Thank you!
