So, my mom is pretty great. She wrote this to send to family and friends before I left and I thought I would include her thoughts for you all to read. Enjoy 🙂
It's only a couple days until Abby leaves on her year long World Mission. (the World Race)
We take her to Chicago on Wednesday, attend optional parents meetings and meals, then the parents/well wishers are gently asked to leave/escorted out, and the "racers" spend another day of orientation before flying out to Africa.
It's hard for the parents. Many of (the racers) have not been away from home before, but geez, we shipped Abby off to China for 2 1/2 years, we can do anything. Been there, done that.
The empty nest is comfortably beckoning once again…
We'll (I'll) probably look at the weepy parents and say, "buck up, you can handle it, the kids can do it, and God is with them. Get over it. "
During which T will be kicking my ankles.
It is fun to watch Abby plan, purchase, and pack. In some ways, she is so organized. She has purchased and completed sewing a Christmas present for her nephew. She painted her bedroom. She arranged for T to have access to her money. She got new contacts, went to the dentist, got her hair cut, and got polio and yellow fever shots and malaria and typhoid prevention pills. She applied to several frequent flyer programs.
Abby even bought a watch because she won't be taking her phone (I get the phone, I'm paying for the plan)
But back to packing.
Abby has one huge backpack, a light weight (custom fitted in REI) sleeping bag, a tent, mosquito net, a sleeping pad…
She bought new underwear,
even though I suggested she take all her old ones, wear them until really dirty, and then throw away.
She is anticipating that she will not be able to get essentials, and so making decisions like
"How many deodorants do I use in a year?"
"How many tampons?"
"How much sunblock? bug spray?"
"Lets make a sewing kit in a baggie."
"How many more Tshirts can I get in if I roll them instead of folding them?
"Should I buy a new Purdue shirt, because mine are all black, and that would be to hot and I've got to have one"
"Do I need to buy a Kindle, books are really heavy to carry around? " (already taking a lap top and an iPad touch)
We are proud of Abby, maybe a little jealous (that would be me).
She'll do well in travel and service to the Lord.
Feel free to follow her blog, and remember her in prayer.
Thanks
Ellen
Love you mom!
Love you mom!
