I’ve missed being here at the AIM base. It holds so many memories for me even though I’ve only been here for a total of maybe a month over the past few years. Adrienne (one of the other leaders) and I arrived yesterday and have really been enjoying our time here. It’s been pretty low-key and we have mostly been talking about what to expect as far as the ministry, what we hope to see happen, and really just getting to know each other and the staff a bit better.
The anticipation is definitely building. Today we spent some time talking with the third leader–Jason Driver–in Kenya. He gave us a lot more information about what our ministry, housing, and even free time may look like. 
We also were able to call many of the team members and check-in with them. They all arrive Thursday, and I can’t wait to meet all twenty-two of them. Wow, that’s a lot! So as the sun was setting tonight I looked around outside with a smile. It was quiet and calm; all of the chairs were still stacked neatly under the tent. All I could think was, “The calm before the storm.” Honestly, I have no idea what to anticipate from these kids; I have no idea how I’m going to handle the tough relational situation that are sure to arise in the next few months; but I know with God’s help we, as leaders, will be able to navigate through it.
This morning as I sat reading in 2 Corinthians I couldn’t help but get excited about heaven. It may seem kind of random for me to say that, but I was reading about where it says in chapter 1 verses 22-23 “He anointed us, 
set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.” I thought about that for a little while–the whole part about the deposit. I started to think about how exciting it is to be doing these things; to be walking out life knowing that the Spirit is active and guiding me. And what brought me to thinking about heaven was the fact that this is only a portion of what’s to come. I can’t even fathom how exciting heaven is because I can barely stay in my skin just for this one little trip. It’s only a small piece of what my life here on earth has and will be filled with, and it’s barely even a glimpse into how amazing heaven will be. How blessed I feel to have this opportunity, and how dumbfounded I am to realize that this is nothing compared to the awesomeness that heaven is.
