Leaving

It's 5:40 am on Monday, and I am on my way to the airport! :)

"Don't Worry About Us"

I have a team of 3 girls working on a video for the FBLA Digital Video Production competition, and it is extremely difficult for me to be gone for the entire week leading up to their project deadline. I enjoy being involved in this process with them, and I worry that I might be letting them down by leaving at such a crucial stage in the process. Nicole, the senior member of the team, gave me some great advice yesterday, "Don't worry about us." As I thought about her advice last night, I realized that she had no idea just how much I need to take that advice. Not just about their team, but about school in general. As much as I care about my students and want to help them succeed, the truth is that for the next week I need to be fully focused on God's call on my life.

So, today as I try to finish up my sub plans, I am choosing to let go. Of course, I will come back a week from Monday eager to see what they have accomplished and to help them finalize their DVDs, but in the mean time I will not worry about my students.

Last Day

Here it is . . . the last day of school before I leave for VA. I'm excited that it is finally almost here, but I also have a LOT of work left to do before I go. I am praying that God will help me to use my time efficiently today as I try to wrap up several projects and prepare a week's worth of lesson plans for a sub.

Choir Family

Last night my wonderful choir family at Second prayed over me while they were commissioning some women preparing for mission trips. I feel so blessed that God has chosen to surround me with such an amazingly supportive and loving group of people. As Paula spoke to the choir about my journey, I felt God's love poured out through this amazing friend He has placed in my life. It is such a symbolic reminder that, regardless of where I go, I do not go alone. Not only is God with me directly, but He has also chosen to be with me through my family and friends.

Roommate

At the conference next week, one of the other single females in attendance will be my roommate. As I pray for God's direction in my journey, I pray for the same in hers. As easy as it is to be consumed by my own experience, right now I am enjoying the perspective gained through praying for one specific person who is going through a similar journey. There will be over 80 people at this conference, so my situation is hardly unique. Although I don't know who she is yet, I pray that my roommate and I will be a blessing to one another at the conference.

One More Week

A week from now, I will be finishing my packing to make sure I am ready to hit the road very early Monday morning (Feb. 16) to catch my flight from St. Louis. Over the past couple of weeks I've gone through several different emotions, thoughts, and feelings about the upcoming conference. It is incredible to think about the huge impact that one week will have on my life. I get excited, nervous, anxious, etc. I agonize over clothing decisions, I pore over potential job openings, I pray for guidance . . . meanwhile, I frantically try to get caught up and work ahead so that my classrooms will not "fall apart" during my extended absence.

Ready

As committed as I have been to keeping myself open to whatever and wherever God leads me to serve, I have definitely carried an inclination for Central and South America. All of my international mission experience has been in this region, and through those experiences God has definitely broken my heart for the lost in that part of the world. Furthermore, Spanish is the only language besides English in which I know more than 3 words.

Now that the conference and these types of decisions are rapidly approaching, I am focusing more prayer time toward seeking God's direction for where He will send me and what type of work He will send me to do. The more I pray, the more I find my heart opening wider to people groups around the globe. So, I am heading into this conference ready for God to surprise me!

In the Mail

Yesterday I received my packet of information from the IMB in the mail. Holding e-tickets, conference agenda, etc. in hand made it feel real that this is happening!

I fly out of St. Louis on Monday, Feb. 16. After a brief stop in Chicago, I will arrive in Richmond, VA later that day. The IMB has buses scheduled to collect candidates from the airport and take us to their International Learning Center, where I will share a room with another single female candidate. It looks like there will be at least 80 of us there for the conference, mostly couples.
The schedule for the week looks pretty packed, with each day starting with breakfast at 7 am and ending with group devotionals around 8 pm or so. The conference officially ends that Friday afternoon, and I will be flying directly back to St. Louis Saturday, February 21.

Anniversary

It was one year ago today that I started working on my weight after learning of the IMB's requirements for medical clearance. I have made such great progress and am continuing to work on it. The truth is, though, that I could never have had the will-power and determination to succeed without a lot of help from God. So, today I am celebrating this milestone and thanking God for His faithfulness to provide will-power that I simply don't have on my own.

One Year Ago

A year ago this week I was in Puerto Vallarta on a women's mission trip. It was there, a year ago tomorrow, that God made it absolutely clear to me that the time had come for me to pursue His call on my life for full-time missions.

When I look back over the past year, I realize what a journey He has brought me through. It has been challenging at times, but I have grown a lot through the experiences of the past year. I am very blessed.

IMB Interview Conference

For the interview conference, I will be flying from St. Louis to Richmond VA (where the IMB is headquartered) on Monday, February 16. The conference begins Tuesday morning and ends on Friday afternoon.I will be flying back either Friday night (February 20) or Saturday (February 21). The IMB handles the travel arrangements and covers all expenses.

The conference will provide additional information about job assignments, work conditions, and other aspects of missionary service. I will be assigned to a small group led by an IMB staff member who is familiar with all of my application materials. This IMB staff member will serve as a counselor and facilitator throughout this decision-making process. I will also participate in personal interviews and meet with regional office representatives to discuss current job openings, etc. in specific regions of the world.

I cannot find the words to express all of my thoughts and feelings about this amazing opportunity. I feel so blessed and have so much enthusiasm and anticipation. Please join me as I pray that the Lord will give me a clear mind and an open heart throughout this process and that He will use the conference to clarify His leadership and will for my life.

Answered Prayers

Late this afternoon I received the long-awaited email from the IMB, inviting me to the interview/selection conference in Richmond Virginia in February! I have been walking on air ever since I got the news. I am SO EXCITED and feel truly blessed that God has chosen to continue to open doors for me in this direction.

I am thrilled to be able to share this incredible news with you and appreciate your continued prayers as I enter this next phase of the journey.

BTW: This morning I was able to get in to the doctor for that last requested test, and they faxed the results in for me.