Christmas is over and all the decorations are coming down. Normally, I would be dreading going back to school for the spring semester; however, not this year… In just two short weeks I will be embarking on one of the most exciting times of my life (well, up to this point at least). In fourteen days, I will be on a plane to Manila, Philippines for seventeen weeks (the more and more I say 17 weeks the longer it feels…) So far, when people have asked me if I am nervous or scared, I have simply responded, “ahh… not really.” As I am sitting here typing this, I am feeling a mixture of emotions. #1 Excited: I love to travel and I love new things; both a huge part of this trip, which makes me bubbling with eagerness!!! #2 Nervous: I am not super world traveler and my perfectionist self wants to make sure I have all I need (or will ever think of needing) before I leave. While this will simply be impossible, my OCD tendencies can’t help themselves. #3 Overwhelmed: from experience, every time the Lord has taken me out of my comfort zone, He has also rocked my world. I can’t help but think of all the ways I will be different after this experience. I desire to mature spiritually, mentally, and physically while I am gone; all the while falling more in love with Jesus. #4 Attached: This is the one that is a little difficult to describe (for those of you who don’t know me, I am not real good and describing how I feel). I have this feeling of needing/wanting to spend as much time with each person I love so much in the next two weeks. Impossible Nonetheless, I am learning to cherish each moment with those close to me before I fly off to Manila. #5 Thankful: The icing on the cake. I can’t even describe (see, there I go again…) to you how thankful I am for the people who have supported me financially and prayerfully in this journey. The Lord has strategically placed so many people in my path that have nudged, shoved, and pushed me to surrender this to the Lord. I can’t wait to see how the Lord is going to rock my life. Thanks for following me on this journey. It means the world to me. I love each of you dearly.
Monday, December 27, 2010
Full of Emotions...
Friday, December 10, 2010
One Month.
One Month, Thirty One Days, until I am on a plane headed to Manila, Philippines for 17 weeks. Honestly, at this very moment the thought of leaving in a month is surreal. So far, the Lord has made this journey exciting, interesting, surprising, and a little nerve racking; but most of all, the Lord has made this journey about Himself. From the beginning, I set out to go where the Lord could be given the most glory. There were several times when I wanted to give up (well, I did give up until the Lord kicked me back into gear) and there were times when I just had no clue what to do next. It has been a beautiful journey of trusting the Lord and realizing that I don’t have to know the next step. Over and over, the Lord has reminded me that He “is the one who goes ahead of me” and He “is the one who will be with me and not fail or forsake me”. He has reminded me that I should “not fear or be dismayed”. (Deut 31:8) God is good. As I am finalizing minor details and raising my remaining support necessary to leave, I am overwhelmed by the confirmation and reminder of the Lord’s hand in this whole journey. There have been numerous people that have been critical in the process (Mom, Dad, Michael, The Halseys, Professors, Friends and Family). I can’t thank them enough. I would like to end with a quote that I have been playing over and over in my head. May you read it, read it again, let it sink in and reflect on how good our God is to us. So so good.
-Madison
Prayer Requests: Financial Support (lack about $1,000), Details with Visa and Shots, Lord prepare my heart
Financial Support: PO BOX 209 Stantonsburg, NC 27883