First Things First

I realize I have been uncharacteristically quiet on the blog-o-sphere lately.
I think it’s because I’m simply overwhelmed. There are TOO many things to write about, too many AWESOME things that happened at Training Camp, too many wonderful experiences that God is currently using to teach me trust, and far too many pains and heartaches that I know are conducive to leaving this amazing place of growth. 

So I am sitting here, on my couch, and wondering what I should do. I could do so many things. I could cry because I am going to miss my friends. I could re-pack, because I REALLY need to do that. I could go to the Urgent Care center, (with a $100 first office visit fee that I wasn’t counting on) because I haven’t been able to find any other way to get a prescription for MALARIA medication. I could drone on about training camp, and how it was probably one of the hardest, emotional, scariest, AMAZING times of my whole life. Or I could read all 50+ of my squad mates blogs, because I realized today just how much I really love them and miss them.

And there is this painting in the corner that begs to be finished. . .

Sigh. Overwhelmed isn’t really the right word. Maybe a bit more like shell shocked. Culture Shocked. Just shocked.

As I sit here on the verge of tears (again,) my prayers sound something like this: “I can’t do this. I have way too much to do. I can’t get all of this done.” My sweet Jesus whispers to me, “One thing at a time. You can do ALL things through Him who strengthens you.”

Is this “strength”? I wonder. It really feels like defeat.  But I think I understand what He means. One thing at a time. First things First.

So here it goes.

By the Grace of God, I have somehow managed to raise all of the money for my trip. Wow. In 6 months. I have so many people to thank, that I can’t even imagine how to begin THAT process.
HOWEVER. I think I may have made myself misunderstood, because I think people thought I had ALL of the money RIGHT NOW. What I have is the Majority of my money, but there are people who pledged money every month (like $100 a month for x amount of months) that I am counting on. So let me apologize if I haven’t been clear. I DO have all of my funds IF those of you who pledged monthly support continue your monthly donations. If not, well then I still have some fund raising to do. I am so very grateful to EVERYONE who has donated to my trip, but I just wanted to remind you all that I am still counting on those monthly pledges. I hope that clears up any confusion. . .

SECOND. If you have mentioned that you wanted to support me, but I have told you that I am fully funded, that is true. HOWEVER, there are two VERY IMPORTANT people on my team that are coming in a little under the support that they need to leave. They are EXTREMELY NECESSARY to our ministry this year, and if they don’t get the funds they need to leave, well then there will be a VITAL part of my family that will be absent for this year. If you would like to help them (and in turn HELP ME) out, then please consider a donation to them. Their names are Stephanie Webster and Carrie Campbell.

Thank you again for all of your help. I am so grateful to everything you have done, said, prayed, and given to me. I couldn’t have done this without you.
May the God of our fathers bless you.
~Kirsten