Alright, I am going to try this again. I was having a few technical difficulties, resulting in an entire blog deletion. It is ok, not the greatest thing in the world, but I will try it again.
My apologies for the lack of blog posts. I like to keep you all up-to-date on my journey. I really appreciate those of you who keep up with my blog. Since I am the editor, I get to go to a special page that lets me know who is reading my blogs. 🙂 It is pretty cool to see just how many have read them. Thank you for listening. I also want to thank all those who are praying for me. This would not be possible without your prayers.
I got some pretty exciting news! I just have to share it with you. These last few weeks have been a bit challenging. In order to keep up with my blogging and preparation for my trip I need access to a computing device. I have been running back and forth to my parents house, using my Mother's laptop. (Thanks Mom!) I have also been bugging Ryan asking to use his computer to check e-mails every once in a while. (Thanks Ryan!) Lets just say, I was a little tired for running around. If I just had my own computer life would be a lot easier. So I began to pray. I asked God for a computer. I didn't want anything fancy, just something that would get the job done. God is good. He hears us when we pray.
Monday, my Dad came to me and he said that he had a little money save up and he would be happy to help me get the computer that I wanted. I was so excited! We went to Best Buy to look at our options. Right away I saw one that caught my attention. It was not a computer though, but it was a tablet. It was the coolest thing, it was so wicked sweet I almost couldn't handle it. It was also a little pricey. We looked around a little more, but my heart was still set on that tablet. After a while, I began to feel a little bad. This tablet was cool and all, but I felt like it was more of a want then a need. It was so awesome, but was I being a little greedy? So feeling a little guilty we left Best Buy empty handed.
I got home a little discouraged and I talked to my Mom. (Moms always have the answer, I have come to find.) She helped my understand that I wasn't being greedy. She helped me to see that Dad would be happiest if he was able to get me exactly what I wanted. That it would actually be a blessing to him. I didn't see it that way before. So I decided I wanted the tablet.
I was doing a little yoga with Ryan later that night, P-90X oh yeah, and I was asking for his advice. He is very good when it comes to high tech stuff. He thought that the tablet was the best idea. It was small and lightweight, travel size, portable and it had a high battery life. All aspects of this device were a perfect fit for what I needed. He agreed that this would be perfect for me. Plus there were a few extra bells and whistles for me to enjoy! I was so excited!! I told Ryan that my Dad and I were going to go get it after the work-out was done. I wanted him to come, but he hadn't eaten dinner yet and wanted to take a shower. He said that he had something for me before I left. He ran up stairs and came down with an envelope. He said, "How much do you need?" I was shocked. I was speechless. Ryan was offering to pay for the tablet. In fact he had been saving money for the very purpose of helping me with the trip. Holy cow. Here I asked God for a computer, less then a computer, I was willing to settle for a old used one, and God brought me TWO people wanting to buy a new computer for me. He is so good. I didn't know what to say to Ryan, I was a little confused and overwhelmed with it all. I called my Dad and he was as happy as can be. He said that he'd be happy to split the cost of the computer with Ryan. On the phone he sounded so happy. Someone was taking care of his little girl. What could make a father happier?
By this time, it was too late and Best Buy was closed. I couldn't be happier, God had answered my prayer. He answered it in a big way. I would have my computer…..I mean tablet the next day!
It was evening before we were all able to meet at Best Buy. We talked to the sale team, which were extremely helpful I might add, and it was finally time to make the decision. I chose the one I wanted all along. They helped us ring the bill up, we got a few protection plans, in case I put the thing in the cooler again…..oh boy. Then the cashier got a weird look on his face, and he said that the keyboard, which was an additional 100 dollars was ringing up as free with the bundle we got. WHAT?! This was a clear picture of Devine Intervention. God had his hand in all of this! Man, don't you just love Him? How great is He?
This goes out to Pops and Ryan. I am so thankful I have you two in my life. You are the best and thank you so much for this awesome tablet. I love it! It makes my life a lot easier. Plus it is soooo cool!!! I was also thinking, as I drove away from Best Buy that night, this tablet will be my only window home for an entire year. You have given me something very special. You have given me home while I am away. The only communication I will have with all those I leave behind is through this tablet. When I leave in September, I leave behind a good portion of my heart. I didn't realize how much it was going to hurt leaving everyone, but it will. You have given me such a precious gift. Thank you. I know I will be thanking you several times when I wake up in Africa and just need a familiar face to look at. I love you a lot, and thank you so much.
