family and some uganda talk

This weekend I drove to Montgomery to see my big sisters (technically cousins), their families, and my mom. On Friday, we went to eat at a Mexican food restaurant on the lake... the music was loud, but it entertained the kids who spent the evening dancing around the table. After we finished our food, the "dj" starting playing things like the chicken dance, the ymca, the hokie pokie, so what did we do? We danced with the kids and laughed the whole time about how people probably thought we had too many margaritas... but no. 

On Saturday, Desi and Shane had to go to a meeting at church so I watched all 3 girls! Luckily, my mom made it there quickly :). We went to eat lunch at Chick-fil-a so the girls could play and Christy and Blaine met us there with their 2 kiddos.

 That night Desi and I sat down to talk about my letter that I will be writing everyone to tell them more about my upcoming journey to Uganda. For the first few days after I said I was going, I was utterly speechless when it came to the thought of it all. I felt blessed, unworthy, and strangely calm, peaceful, and hopeful. 

I love the Lord, but I have always taken the approach of being a witness through the way I live my life, rather than discussing it with openly with people who I thought it would make uncomfortable. (I hope that my life has been an example to others and hope that He shines through me by being openminded, excepting, and non-judging.) Also, not to mention the fact that I HATE going places alone where I know little or no one (I feel uncomfortable and so vulnerable) and I know NO one (well) that I am about to travel around the world with. So, the feeling peaceful part about going completely out of my comfort zone in these 2 HUGE areas is strange. I feel like I should be so uncomfortable, nervous, and anxious which I usually am in situations similar.. but not this one. 

Desi, you have to understand is very "over seas minded," she lived there (Qatar, to be exact) and she has a heart for mission work overseas. We discussed about how we were each called to something different. Some people have a heart for mission work here in the states and some people want to help situations here. Some people have a heart for overseas missions and others just feel that they want to help through prayer and donations there. We worship the same God, but if he used us all in the same way, not much would be done...

Needless to say, I didn't get much done on my letter (we talked too much), but I have an idea!

On Sunday, my mom and I went to church with Desi, Shane and the girls. What was the sermon about you ask? Oh, you know, our callings and how God speaks to us. Wow, what a powerful God we worship. Desi and I both got teary eyed at church because of the magnitude of what was being discussed. The preacher was talking about how God talks to everyone in a different way. Some times it just seems like a coincidence and other times it might be more "audible." He was saying that when he felt called to be a minister, he felt that he heard God's voice tell him. But, not everyone will have the same experience and that we need to keep our hearts opened to whatever way it is God chooses to speak to us.  There was also a really cool little something that they did with the children at the children's sermon to send with the missionaries from their church, but you'll have to wait for the letter (via snail mail) to find out more. 

When it comes to this trip to Uganda, let me tell you that when the trip was being discussed last Sunday morning, I heard the Mercy Me song, "Hear Me" play in my head. The chorus goes like this:

Whom shall I send
Who will go for me
To the ends of the earth
Who will rise up for the King
Here am I send me
Here am I send me

Point being, don't pass up the God-incidence thinking that it's just a coincidence. 

At lunch today my mom (who really is the best mom I'll ever know) was talking about her feelings on my trip. She is really being as encouraging as she can when it comes to something that might seem scary to her. She is praying for me, she is happy for me, and she is proud that I am doing the Lords work. Thanks mom. This post is about reason 2039480279873049827 why I love my family. I only wish my dad could have joined us!