overwhelming joy

The title pretty much sums up how I am feeling today. Overwhelmed with joy. Today marks one week until I board a plane headed for Kenya!! Every time I think about it I cannot wipe the smile off my face. It feels like I am going to wake up and it was all just a dream because it's SO amazing! Everyone keeps asking "well, aren't you nervous?" but really, all I feel is just excitement! I am so thankful that God has kept a spirit of anticipation (in a good way) rather than nervousness. But then again, without Him I wouldn't even be going on this trip!

Today, when I was commissioned by the church I was again, overwhelmed by the love of the people of Shades. To know that all these people who I know and love, and some I don't know, are praying for me and rooting for me and the team I'll be with is just blowing my mind. I've been blessed beyond my wildest dreams. The Lord didn't just fill my cup, but He makes it overflow every day.

And speaking of overflowing, my luggage bags might as well be snack size Ziploc bags. I have a whole suitcase full of donations and extra. The maximum weight is 50 lbs and I have a good 65 lbs of just donations. It is so difficult to decide on which donations I should take and which ones I should leave behind. All of the donations were gifts from others who want to help the world and who am I to leave them here? So, do not fear because no donations will be left behind!

Today God showed me that I am loved. Being human, we always want constant knowledge that we are wanted and loved. Today was just what I needed. Today I was loved on by my friends, family, and people I don't even know. I would walk around and people would come up to me telling me how they were going to be praying for me. That is enough to bring overwhelming joy to anyone.

The continual reminders of the love of these people is breathtaking. But at the same time, it's eye-opening. I would usually just soak in the love and think nothing about it. But now, I think, some of these kids I'll be meeting and loving on will never see all this love that I've seen in one day. Some of these kids will go their whole lives without feeling the sense of being wanted. So, that's my job. And by others loving on me, it makes my heart want to love all the little coffee bean colored children even more!

So, thank you for everyone who is praying for me and I CAN'T WAIT to see how God uses me, not just in Nakuru, but everywhere that I go. God has prepared me to go touch the world, and leave an imprint for His glory.