I still have to pack, clean Gilbert's tank so my brother can feed him while I am gone, water my sunflowers, paint my toes, pluck my eyebrows, clean my room, pray a lot, print off my itinerary for my parents, and get a good night sleep.
We have so many donated items sitting in Kristen's house waiting to get crammed into 8 checked bags- I am doubting that it is all going to fit. Today, I practiced my balloon animal making skills. I literally had a book. I'm bringing the book to Brazil. I feel like I have spent a good amount of time preparing myself for this trip. I have prayed a ton, reflected on last year's journal entries, and processed a lot of the fears that I am experiencing. I have had a few set backs on my road to preparation, but now I am here- less than 24 hours before I leave- getting ready to leave, setbacks or no setbacks.
I am so ready to see those Brazilian kids. I am so ready to see my team's faces light up at all the little journeys throughout our trip. I am so ready to cling to God so tightly for the next two weeks. I am so ready to see Tom and Grace and their family waiting for us at the gate (when I think about it, like now, I start to cry, I don't know why). I am so ready to be fulfilled. I am so ready for God to be glorified through us even though I feel so undeserving. I am ready to laugh and cry. I am ready to make memories I will remember for the rest of my life, and I am ready for this trip to take a piece of my heart like last year's did. I feel a lot of emotions- excited, scared, anxious, ambitious, nostalgic, sooooo many things. However, I am confident God has gone before us, and I know He has been preparing me for this longer than I know. I keep hearing this song that was on the mix Danielle made for Bethany, Lindsay, and I when we went to New York, and it has become my prayer for this trip.
Beholding Your beauty
Is all that I long for
To worship You Jesus
Is my sole desire
For this very heart
You have shaped for be your pleasure
Purposed to lift Your Name higher
Here in surrender
In pure adoration
I enter Your courts
With an offering of praise
I am Your servant
Come to bring You glory
As is fit for the work of Your hands
Now unto the Lamb
Who sits on the throne
Be glory and honor and praise
All of creation resounds with the song
Worship and praise Him
The Lord of lords
Spirit now living
And dwelling within me
Keep my eyes fixed
Ever on Jesus' face
Let not the things of this world
Ever sway me
I'll run 'til I finish the race
Now unto the Lamb
Who sits on the throne
Be glory and honor and praise
All of eternity echoes the song
Worship and praise Him
The Lord of lords
Holy Lord
You are holy
Jesus Christ
Is the Lord
Now unto the Lamb
Who sits on the throne
Be glory and honour and praise
Call all the sinners to join in the song
Worship and praise Him
The Lord of lords
I am excited about sharing my stories when I get back! I should probably pack now. Follow our Brazil blog!!!!
I love you. God wants you in Brazil SO much. He has prepared you. Equipped you. Called you. Blessed you. I can't wait to hear all of your stories when you get back. Come sit by my pool and tell me.
ReplyDeleteNow, go, run until you finish the race that has been set before you.