Where He's Leading Me

        I've been hinting about this post for awhile. Hopefully all of that suspense will be worth it... Anyways, God is calling me to crazy places. Back story: about a year and a half ago, friends of ours moved to South America to be missionaries. I longed to go visit them sometime, for the adventure, for Jesus. Well, over Christmas they came back announcing a mission trip! I immediately talked to my parents (it wasn't a surprise to them) and they said it was a go. Early February I started fundraising by sending out letters asking for prayers and money. Fifty three of them, to be precise. I was overwhelmed! Not only did that alone cover the cost of the trip, it covered more than that! So, yes, I even had to turn away a few donations. That was the first confirmation from God that this was where He wanted me to be. Now, that all probably sounds sunshine and rainbows, but it hasn't been. More than a few people doubted that it would work. I had one person tell me that they would wait to give until closer to the deadline, in case it didn't work out. They ended up forgetting the deadline, so by the time they sent a donation in, the trip was fully funded. Luckily (well, not luck but God's work), they wrote it in my name (not my churches' name) so I'm using it for extra expenses. But other people have questioned me, and I have just been reminding myself of 1 Timothy 4:12.  And also, a big thing for me is that it's a twelve hour plan ride to where I'm going. I haven't flown since I was a baby. And to fly with just two other people from my church, neither of which are my parents, I'm almost scared. But not really. It's just crazy. I'm not sure if it's hit me yet. It might not until I board the plan. Nonetheless, I am so excited (as I wrote in my journal, "estoy muy muy muy muy muy muy entusiasmada) to see God work. This summer is going to be great, because along with going to South America, God has provided for me to go to not one but two overnight church camps- one as a student and one a as junior counselor. Last summer I did very little- VBS, leading a day camp, and some ballet. This summer? A mission trip and two summer camps! (Along with day camp and ballet, but unfortunately not VBS because it's during my South America trip) My friends, sacrifice is worth it.

-Emily