I can pass the port!

I can officially go to Uganda...well almost. I'm one step closer that's for sure. My renewed passport came in the mail today. It's so stiff compared to my last one....I think it's time to do a little bit of traveling so it can get all limbered up! I am glad that it's a different picture...but if you're shown your picture and your forehead is all shiny, be warned, it shows up on the passport! I'd like to meet someone who is very pleased with their passport photo...or driver's license....or school photo.

Not much else to report for now. It's hard not to focus on the fact that so many people have seen my blog (over 600) as well as my fundraising page (over 500)....and yet I'm still $3,000+ away from my financial goal. I am so thankful for those who have willingly given. Someone made a comment to me that if you have to raise money people want something in return...they won't just give you their money. I didn't understand that because when I give to others I'm not expecting a return. Is my view skewed? I would just assume they would want the full amount, not a small percentage...even though I know they are thankful for that. What do you think?

The principle of 3's

So, I hear in interior design that the best thing to do is group items in 3's. Well, it seems like God followed that rule when it comes to cars and those that need one! Here's are two God-stories from some friends of mine...

Jake and Heidi are moving off island and needed to sell their car. They put it on craigslist and got a hit. (I don't know the exact details...but you'll get the point from here on out.) They said that they needed the car until a certain time...since they are on island until the end of this month. The guy looking at the car agreed to this timeline...which would leave Jake and Heidi without a car for several weeks. A friend of ours heard about this and talked with Jake about their need of a car. This friend and his wife are in the process of waiting for a lady to give birth to the child they are going to adopt. They would need to be on the mainland for an extended period of time after the child is born before they can bring him back to Hawaii. They offered Jake and Heidi the use of their car since they won't be here. Oh, and I believe this happened the very same day Jake met with the guy who bought their car. A God thing?! I think yes.

Beth lives in Waianae and drives to Mililani every day for work. She had an older Ford Escape that was getting 13 mpg. Needless to say, she was paying a pretty penny for gas...especially living here on Hawaii. While her parents were here, her dad suggested that she put her car on craigslist....which being the obedient daughter, she did :) She didn't think anyone would call her....but she got a call for the car the very next day. She hadn't been seriously looking to buy a car at this time either...so this could potentially leave her without a car. Well, she sold her car...with no idea how she would get around. Her landlord had an extra car that he keeps for his sister-in-law who works on island for several months out of the year. The day that Beth needed the car is the same day that the landlord's sister-in-law left island....and he graciously allowed her to borrow his car - which gets way better gas mileage than her SUV. Beth was hoping to have her dad help her look for a car, but that didn't happen. So, after a couple of weeks borrowing her car, she bought one with the help of her neighbor - who helped talk the guy down a lot! This car can potentially get 40 mpg....a HUGE change from what she had! A God thing?! I think yes.

The last you read I sold my car not knowing what I would do. A family in my church has a nanny who is off island right now. I knew she had a car...but didn't know if they would be using it or not. I swallowed my pride and ask them if I could borrow one of their cars for a while. They said they'd talk it over...this was Wednesday. If I could borrow a car, they would bring it on Sunday. My friends who bought my car used it on Sunday....and I was hoping to tell them they could keep it - and I could get rid of my insurance as soon as possible. Well, I'm officially DEBT FREE and am no longer paying insurance! The family brought the car and I'm able to use it...not sure how long yet. I actually got a lot more money back from my insurance than I thought I would...huge praise! God completely orchestrated that the nanny would be off island for a long period of time at the exact time that I would need a vehicle. Man - my God is awesome! A God thing?! I think yes!

Psalm 34:1 has been a verse I've been clinging to for the past several weeks: "I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth." No matter what the circumstance I should always be praising God! How can I not after what He has done not only in my life, but the lives of my friends! Praise God from Whom all blessings flow!

I have now raised over $1000 for my trip! I'm continually humbled by the generosity of others...so undeserving of it. Thank you to anyone who has given and who will give in the future. You are not only impacting my life, but the lives of those children in Uganda for good.

My baby....

My baby was bought tonight! I've had people ask me about my car since they heard I was leaving...a few had the courtesy to tell me that it's just not what they were looking for while I never heard back from the other ones. I have been hoping/praying that a friend would buy it, mainly because I didn't want to deal with the hassle of craigslisting it or putting a sign on it.

A friend came by my office yesterday and started asking about it. I gave her details about it and she told me that depending on what they would hear about the car they own right now, they might be interested in buying it. Ok, I've been hearing that last part of the sentence for about a month or two now....kind of getting my hopes up, but just putting it in God's hands. Last night I got a call from her saying that she and her husband want to come talk to me more specifically about the car. REALLY?! Um, ok God....you know I need a car until June 8 or 9.....and they need a car like NOW.

We talked specifics and they wanted to do a test drive. Sure - no problem, tonight would be great! I got home later than I expected...so I was feeling kind of bad about it. Thankfully they were gracious about it and didn't complain at all :) Got home, they came shortly after that (they had to walk since they didn't have a car - I live down the street from them...a God thing?) and took my baby out. I really didn't care how long they were gone....and then they came back. I honestly thought by the looks on their faces that they weren't interested. I had resigned myself to the fact that I wasn't going to be able to help them out...or that they would think the price I quoted wasn't worth it.

Boy, was I wrong. They were actually going to give more for their down payment than what they mentioned earlier. That was a huge praise too since it is pretty much the exact amount that I still owe on the car! A God thing? I'm still in shock that in 2 days time they first inquired then bought the car. So, where does that leave me? Needing a vehicle really soon. They are graciously letting me keep the car until next week sometime. I have an appointment in town on Saturday....and will hopefully be able to take my baby to the North Shore one more time before she's no longer mine :) You know what....however God provides another vehicle will be....a God thing!

My God will supply....

God is awesome. I'm completely blown away by how He orchestrates every minute detail in my life. I got the official ok for my last day at work to be July 31. I am flying to Phoenix to visit friends...and the only time Hawaiian Air flies out to PHX is at 3:10 p.m. Well, I guess I won't be leaving after work on the 31st. This leaves me in a quandary. I need to find shelter for that night since I will be completely moved out of my apartment....here's where it gets good.

I've been trying to figure out when I want to leave the apartment so that I can clean it without my stuff still being in the apartment. I've asked a few people if I could crash at their place for one night the last week of July. I asked some friends if I could borrow their third vehicle that last week since I was going to sell my car around that time.

During this time I had a conversation with another friend of mine. Was trying to figure out the last time I would see her. We talked about dates and figured out how I could see her. Later in the day we are both helping out at an elementary b-ball game. I looked at her and exclaimed "Hey, would it be possible to borrow your car for the last week of July?" Then another thought hit me....could I borrow her car all summer long because she won't be here! Not that I'm excited for her not to be here, but could the timing be anymore God? She told me I could even start borrowing it when she leaves at the beginning of the summer - it would put her mind at ease if she knew the car was being used. Wow! I want to sell my car as soon as I can so I can get out of my car payments....I could sell my car in about a month. How amazing!

Then I asked her if I could stay at her place the last week of July....both her and her roommate will be off island during that time. I wouldn't be putting anybody else out by having to stay at their place. I could have everything in one place and not be in the way. She said yes! God has everything aligned just perfectly. He knew that I hate asking people if I could invade their space and provided a place with no one home!

My God will supply all my needs according to His riches in Christ Jesus! (Philippians 4:19)

The Foolish Cry of My Heart

I can't believe that I have had my passport for over 10 years! Man, I can't wait to change the picture! I got a new picture this past Saturday...it wasn't the greatest picture I've ever taken. When the lady took it she brought the camera over to me and asked me if it was ok...HA! I thought about saying..."Well, anything is better than what I have now." I have had the paperwork filled out for quite a while now, was just waiting for some money to be able to mail it and pay for the renewal. I finally put it in the mail today.

I've only raised $200 so far. My mom was gracious enough to loan me money for my plane ticket....I want to pay her back for it. She sacrifices so much for me already! I know God wants me to go...now it's the hard part of waiting on Him and His perfect timing in raising money. Some friends of mine are adopting and I keep hearing how the Lord has provided this amount and that amount for them. While I'm absolutely thrilled for them, I'm fighting the battle of not being discouraged.

You see, I'm a planner...always have been and always will be. Just ask my mom! I have a plan of how I'm going to get the money...and even though I'm not leaving until September, I feel as if I need the money now. We live in a society where you can get everything now and have it your way. How foolish of me to want that! I'm reading and meditating on Isaiah 45:1-13 this week. The Lord promised to go before Cyrus in his rule and make a way for him to conquer the land....150 years before Cyrus was king! If God can do that, why am I starting to doubt and let discouragement creep in. His ways aren't my ways and I'm so thankful for that.

In this circumstance of my life, He wants to get all the glory - I don't need any of it. I'm nothing, I have nothing to offer...except myself. That's exactly where God wants me right now. To offer myself completely over to Him....that includes my plans!

I'm going to Uganda...I have faith in that....I just need to wait patiently for the Lord to show Himself powerful and give Him all the glory for how He will work in me!

One thing at a time

After grad school, I had no clue what to do. I searched for a job for about 5 months and absolutely nothing came up. I went to work at a camp that summer and figured by the end of the summer God would have a job all lined up for me. I kept searching, and searching, and searching. Nothing, nada, zilch. Towards the end of the summer we found out that dad had a brain tumor and needed to have surgery. By God's grace I was finished with camp at that time and was able to be home. Well, dad needed someone with him 24 hours for at least a week, it may have been two. Guess who had the time....yep, God's hand was on that situation.

Not knowing what to do or where to look (feeling like I had exhausted a lot of my resources) God graciously allowed me to work with my dad so I could live at home for a year. Not exactly what I had in mind, but again, God's hand was on the situation as dad passed into glory during that year.

After dad died, it took me a while, but I started looking for another job. Where I was at wasn't ideal, but I know it was necessary. God had his hand on my job situation and I ended up in Hawaii. Now that I'm leaving and know where I'm going to next, people keep asking me, "So, I know Uganda, but what's happening after that?" I have no earthly clue. I'm a planner, so not knowing where I'll be 9 months from now could frighten me. I have no set plan. I have an idea, but why put my hopes and plans into that when it could be completely different.

I do know I am going to Uganda. Why do I need to know what's gonna happen after? Maybe I'll stay in Uganda longer, maybe God will take me home to glory....the possibilities are endless! I am truly blessed to be single right now. You don't hear many singles say that, but I couldn't ask for anything else. Why would I want to marry and miss this amazing opportunity to serve my God and Savior for 3 months to those most in need?! So to those asking what's after? Who cares right now. I'm putting myself completely in the hands of God and, from past experience, will know what's after when He deems it the time to let me know!

I'll be leaving on a jet plane

The biggest hurtle was buying my tickets....which I did. I cannot believe that I got them at the same price as I paid to go to Guam! That just boggles my mind. I compare all plane ticket pricing to flying to Guam....and now laugh because everything seems to be less expensive. Ok, granted it's probably because it's 5 months away, but whatever. 

Once I got the ok from Amani, I really had no clue what to do next. I needed to get a plane ticket and send my itinerary to the orphanage in order to reserve my spot. Do I go through a travel agent or go through Orbitz or directly through the airline...whatever airline that might be. I was just kind of waiting around for something to happen....not knowing what would happen. When I went to Kenya, our group flew British Airways and the Lord directed me to their website. I had no desire to fly on 2 separate airlines. 

Source found here

When looking up prices I about fell off my chair when I realized that I could buy a round trip ticket to Uganda at almost the exact same price as a round ticket to Guam! I have a friend in London, and I really wanted to get out to see the city (even though I've already seen it, I was rather sick on that particular trip) and to see her since it's been well over 10 years since I last saw her. I have about a 10 hour layover and will be so thankful to get out and stretch my legs!

I leave on September 2 and fly back on December 1. I looked at flying back on a Saturday, but it was about $600 more than flying on Sunday. I was trying to find a good time for them to take me to the airport because I know it's not close. I leave the states in the evening and then leave Uganda at 1 a.m. Just really thankful that it's 1 a.m. and not something like 6 a.m. I think that would be worse to be honest.

I realize I have been rambling in this post. Well, welcome to my brain :) I've received $200 in donations....praise the Lord! Every little bit helps. If you would consider it, you can donate right here on this page via Paypal. No need to do it today. pray about it! If you can't give, please keep me in your prayers as I have many more things to do to prepare for this trip. Until next time.....