Wow! I have very mixed emotions right now. Here's where I am at...I just got my debit card in the mail, I am not packed (I started, but got kinda overwhelmed), I still have a few errands to run, and I leave TOMORROW!!! That's right folks! My sweet mom is taking off work tomorrow afternoon and then we are picking my dad up at 4 and they are driving me out to HUT where I will meet up with the rest of the group. We will spend the next several days in fellowship and orientation. The Harding bus takes us to Memphis on Tuesday where we will begin our 33 hour flight process to Zambia. I don't think reality has set in that I am actually going. This has been so theoretical for so long it just has not become reality to me. I remember very similar feelings before leaving for Italy. One of the most frequently asked questions right now is "are you nervous?". I was asked this the other day by one of my mom's close friends. When I said yes, she took it a step further and asked me what specifically I was nervous about. I think I shocked her with my answer. This may sound morbid but the thing that makes me most nervous is that something will happen to someone in my family back here and I won't be here. Now long before this ever became reality, I got my entire family's blessing to go, but it still scares me. My family means more to me than anything else and I just can't imagine it. But at the same time, I CANNOT WAIT to get over there!!! I really am so excited to see what good the Lord is going to do through us, His servants. I am truly blessed that this is an opportunity for me and am so thankful! I want you all to know on the front end how much it means to me that you're reading this and would like to ask for your prayers for our group. That this trip will be a success through Him and because of Him.
On a completely different note, I went to my grandparents house the other night for what I thought was a going away dinner, but they surprised me with a birthday party since I won't be here for mine this year (that's weird to me because it will be the first one ever...I mean I even scheduled myself to go to Italy in the spring so I wouldn't miss it...you see birthdays are holidays in my family) But how cool that I'll get to spend it in Africa! I also went and ate with my grandma before leaving. They had the most awesome cake made for me! Here it is. Pay special attention to the "S". It's supposed to be a black mamba. The same friend of my mom's that I was talking about earlier, watched a documentary on them and was sweet enough to tell my mom about them...I haven't stopped hearing about them since haha. :) I really do adore this friend of hers! Here's the cake:
All of that to say, here are a few pictures for those of you who don't know this supportive, loving, selfless, precious family that I was so blessed to be born into!!!
Natalie, Dad, Me, and Mom
Papa Sherrill, Me, Grandma Marcille
(my mom's parents)
Grandma Jimmie (dad's mom)
My mom's side of the family
Part of dad's side at my sister's graduation party
Some may not consider pets to be part of the family, but this is Abner and he'll be 13 in September and is a huge part of our family! :)
And this sweet face is Claude. He stays in trouble but those big eyes keep him nice and spoiled! :) I'll miss all of the funny Claude stories that happen while I'm gone, though I'm sure I'll get e-mails about them.
Wow, this post was long! Thank you so much for following my journey. I have so many emotions right now but am very excited. I better get some sleep so I can finish packing! :)
Because of Him,
Sara Kathryn
