Ok, Ok, I give

So I have been anti anti blog for a long time now. But after many requests and some thought I have caved. I have found myself a cute layout and picture and thought up a name I like so I guess here it goes. Just as a warning before you read any further I am terrible at grammar so if you are going to be bothered by run on sentences and the like I recommend you stop reading now. I can not guarantee that I will have anything profound or better yet anything clever to say, but I know that I have people that love me that would like to have a way to keep tabs on me and where my adventures are leading me so I shall try my best. 

I am absolutely in awe of the way God has directed my steps in the last few years and with the opportunities and experiences I have had. I almost can't believe this is my life. Don't get me wrong I would have done a few things differently, taken less for granted, and slowed down to live in the moment a little more but overall it has been a great ride. I feel so incredibly blessed. 

To have spent the last 3 months of my life on floating hospital ship in western Africa has been a dream I didn't even know I had come true. I found a place where I felt completely accepted, completely needed, and completely fulfilled. I learned to find God in little everyday moments as well as the big crazy miracles, and have loved looking back and realizing how He has been putting little things in my life in place over years for such a time as this. I really have no way of putting into words what I have learned and experienced over the last few months but I know that it has changed me to the core. 

Now as I am preparing to return to Africa I am learning a big lesson in stepping out in faith. For this independent girl who plans it all out and is always prepared, God is showing me once again that it is His job to make the plans and mine to simply follow. Maybe one of these times I'll catch on and learn to let go a little. I have a one way plane ticket to Benin, 18 days until my flight, more bills and fees due than I have money in the bank, and a peace and excitement in my heart because I know that without a doubt God will provide. If my life up until this point has taught me one lesson it is that. 

So I pray that as my time back in the states starts to draw to a close once again that I make the most of it. That I tell those who need to hear about the work that is being done, that I work out all the logistics and details that need to be put in place in order to leave, and that I remember to take the time needed to be still and listen and let my heart be prepared to return.