I have arrived...

...in Virginia, anyway. The weekend was full of difficult goodbyes (lots of family time again, "Thanksgiving" dinner after church on Sunday, and Pizza Inn with my cousins). I went home Sunday night from dinner and was in really good shape packing-wise. Dad and I had packed and loaded the car during the afternoon, and stuff was really just down to what I needed late Sunday night and Monday morning. I went to bed feeling really wierd- not sure what to feel. I've been excited and looking forward to everything that's coming, but at that point in time, I was torn. All the goodbyes got to me, and, in all honestly, I really didn't want to hit the interstate in the morning. Didn't sleep well Sunday night-- was wide awake by 5. (Mom, Katie, and I had planned to meet for breakfast at 8, so I definitely didn't oversleep!) I had plenty of time to check and double-check everything I needed, but still managed to leave 2 cakes (!) that a friend had made for me to take with me, so after one tearful goodbye in the Stax Omega parking lot, Mom and I had another one in the driveway before I really left.

The drive to Rockville was pretty uneventful. From the driveway to the ILC (International Learning Center) gate was right at 6 hours, including two short stops. Checked in and started to get settled in. Kelli (my partner for the next 2 years) got in right after dinner, and we got settled in to our temporary home. We're in a quad with other families who are going to Central, Eastern, & Southern Africa (CESA). We 're in 4 mini-apartments with our own bedrooms, bathrooms, and kitchenette, and we all share one big greatroom. We've already had some great fellowship time in the greatroom- I'm looking forward to building some great relationships with this new Africa family!

The enemy started attacking me almost immediately... while I was working on an online assignment, my computer had a seizure- all kinds of internet windows started popping up faster than I could close them. I tried to stop them, close them, shut down the computer... nothing worked. Talk about freaking out! Finally, I just turned the computer off. Evidently, the seizure sent my computer into a coma, because I haven't been able to get into it since. I looked for the Windows installation discs, and as it turns out, they were the one other thing I left at home. :S So I had to get Mom to FedEx the discs up to me, and took my machine to the IT wonders here on campus... hopefully it will be healthy soon. But it amazes me how Satan attacked me in that area... trying to frustrate me with my ability to contact home and one more way I can be independent.

Classes started on Wednesday... the first couple of days were more long and exhausting than anything... legal and medical briefings... fun. But Friday took the cake. I went on a personal spiritual retreat, just me and God for 3 hours. And man, did He have a lot to say! Funny how, when you're struggling, like I've been struggling with some things for a while, God can open you up and show you what the real root of the issue is. And it's not at all what you thought it was to begin with. He really dealt with me on some things I've been carrying that I shouldn't have been... hopefully I'll be able to leave them behind.

Overwhelmed...

I am amazed and humbled by the wonderful believers I am surrounded by. This past weekend was completely overwhelming... in a good way. First of all, on Saturday evening, some sweet girlfriends held a "Missionary Shower" for me. After a fun gift time where I was showered with chocolate, Band Aids, Orbit gum, and Bath & Body Works hand soap, among other things, they led the most unbelievable prayer time. They lifted up me, my team, my family, and the people that we'll be working with in Lugbara. I felt so blessed to be surrounded by family and friends who have been by my side through some very difficult times, and who have seen the LORD work in amazing ways in my life. Knowing that these strong, Godly women are praying for me here at home make me even more confident that God will be glorified in Arua.

Sunday morning was a whirlwind. During both services, Taylors 1st Baptist held a commissioning for me and for the other girl from the church going to training in a couple weeks. They presented us to the church, asked the church family to pray for us as we go to Richmond for training and as we get into the field, and then prayed over us. After each service, church members had the opportunity to come and speak to us... what a blessing to get to see so many people who have poured into my life since I was a child, to know that God used them in shaping me into the woman I am today, and to know that they will continue to pray for me in the future. Needless to say, I was a wreck!

Since our commissioning was at the end of each service, I was asked to speak to The Connection, a large Life Group, during the first part of the second service hour. The Connection is a cross-generational class, with members from ages 20 to 80; I've been attending this class for the past few months, and it has been a huge blessing in my life. During my talk, I tried to explain how my life has come to be on the path of international missions. I also described my team, our mission, how we will be addressing this mission, and how they can pray for us. Their response in their willingness to pray for us and support me in this journey was simply overwhelming. I do not feel worthy to be blessed with such an amazing body to lift me up and encourage me.