Africa

Once again, I've been slow to get back and write anything. I apologize for the long delay...but it is kind of a good thing that I don't have medical issues to report. I am very,very grateful to the Lord that I'm doing well.

My last checkup was fine. I had a CBC blood check in December and my numbers were pretty good, not perfect, but good. My iron level came up from November to December.

My big news is that I have been preparing for a major trip...I am going to Ghana, West Africa with Tom. This will be my first ever mission trip. Tom has been to Africa now 8 or 9 times. I'm glad I'm going with someone with that much experience, besides it just being sweet to be with him.

Going to Africa will be an exciting adventure and certainly a great opportunity to see what the Lord is doing across the world. But this trip is even more significant to me. This is a HUGE "mile marker" on my continued life race. I am now 2 years away from my breast cancer diagnosis. I am grateful to the Lord to be alive and to be able to do something so adventuresome.

I will say that before I had cancer I was timid and unsure of traveling anywhere so far away, but now I want to live everyday to the fullest. That includes doing things that I wouldn't have done before because of fear. I want to live fearlessly, walking in the strength of the Lord. SO...this trip is kind of like me skydiving...stepping out to do something that is hard but thrilling. I'm setting aside old fears and giving the Lord my list of concerns. He is faithful to take all of them so I don't have to. This is certainly not a one time exercise...but a continual laying my heart and my worries at His feet.

Please pray for us...for safety in our travels, for our children's well being while we are away, for no sickness or disease to come on us, for eyes that can see what He wants us to do while we are there and doing it, and to serve Him by serving and loving others we come to meet. Thanks for your covering of prayer.

So...here I go. Ready, set, JUMP. I am jumping into the unknown and trusting the Lord to take care of thousands of details. He is my loving Protector and Helper and Rock. I believe He knows how to skydive.

I will trust in the Lord, who is worthy to be praised!

Blessings to you all.