Where do I start?

Two years ago, my life changed in an instant.  I received a phone call from the Vanderbilt Trauma Unit telling me that my husband, Chris, had been in a serious motorcycle wreck.  As my faith grew through the process of being by his side for the months that followed, I knew that God had great things in store for our family.  Following his full recovery, we continually searched, prayed, and discussed what God wanted for our lives.  We felt their was just something more to life!  We continued to focus on our spiritual life, but we were having no luck discovering our "calling."  

One Sunday, a couple from Middle Tennessee spoke to our Sunday School class about their organization, The Raining Season (TRS). The organization had created an orphanage in Siera Leone, Africa, and was very passionate about saving orphans.  Previous to this, we'd been surrounded by stories of adoption but didn't feel that would be our way to help.  I was very touched by the work of TRS, and spent the evening looking at their website and blogs.  I was especially interested in the mission trips.  I talked to Chris about it, but knew this wasn't something that I could do any time soon.  I let the possibility go by the way side.

In the spring of 2010, I helped with a project to send teddy bears to the orphans in the TRS orphanage.  We met on a Sunday afternoon and stuffed over 80 teddy bears. It was this afternoon that brought the possibility of going to Sierra Leone.  I spoke with Amy and discovered that she was accompanying the May group to Africa.  I was excited for her, curious, and a little jealous. I wanted to go, but didn't see it as a possibility.  Here was a mother of three taking action and following her "calling" to help the less fortunate across the Atlantic.  I really wanted to know what led her to the decision to travel.  

When Amy returned, shared her story, and challenged our Sunday School group to pray about traveling with her again in January, I began to talk with Chris and pray.  Amy's story made it seem possible again!  Through many discussions, arguments, praying, and meeting with friends, I'm in the planning stages of going to Africa!  I'm so excited about the possibility and look forward to the journey, not only to Africa, but to prepare myself spiritually for what God needs me to do.  

I need to raise money to support my travel, but I know that loving the orphans at the orphanage, helping with a VBS for them, delivering donations to the children's hospital, and feeding the people in Kroo Bay will be worth every penny.  I pray that God will break my heart for what breaks his.  I need to see and feel the suffering in the world!  I can't ignore it once I experience it.  God wants us to act!

I look forward to sharing my journey to Africa.  Over the next six months, I will be working with many girls from church to fundraise, pray, and prepare for our travels.  God is working in us!