PFO

So here I am my 4th day at Pre-Field Orientation. It's been absolutely amazing what I have learned and taken in. When I first joined up w/NICS I thought 'how could anyone want to go to Afghanistan or Indonesia?' when infact I've met people who are going and you can just see the excitement on their faces as if they are off to Paris. When God wants you somewhere He really will give you that desire...NO MATTER WHAT.

We've of course been talking a lot a/b culture and TCK's (Third Culture Kid...i.e. when you have parents who are American but grow up in, say, Peru and you have a Peruvian mindset as well as the mindset of the other cultures around you) and it is amazing to me all that I didn't know. I remember learning it when I went over to Germany but since I've been back in the States I feel that it's all been lost.

Today we talked a/b TRANSITION and it's refreshing to know that I'm not the only one going thru this. There are so many people here a/b to experience the same thing and some that are going even farther than Germany. It's good to know thru out all this that God has placed me w/people and new friends that are going thru the same thing.

word of God speak

I went out last night w/Heather and Ashley in Atlanta. It was a bittersweet evening since I had to tell them both goodbye for at least 5 months, maybe longer. We had a great time together and it was so awesome to be w/them one last time.

I woke up bright and early this morning at 7am, even though I didn't have to be at church until 10:30. You'd think I'd take advantage of sleeping in another hour than I'm used to on a Sunday, but not so much. I was nervous about speaking in front of the church which I know now was just Satan's way of getting my focus off Christ. I immediately began to pray and at that moment God brought the song "Word of God Speak" by MercyMe into my head. I relaxed somewhat and was able to fall asleep again for a little bit.

I ended up getting over the jitters as soon as I stood up in front of the church this morning. God DID speak through me and my nerves were calmed as soon as I got the microphone into my hand. When I finished speaking, we sang a song about how God's grace is all we need. It's so true! Throughout this entire support raising process I've definitely learned that I don't need anything else nor can I rely on anything else but HIM. His grace is sufficient for every single need and want in my life. Funny how easy that's brushed aside when we don't take time to ponder it...

Off to Mississippi tomorrow so I need a nice long Sunday afternoon nap right about now!

Georgia

Making a pit stop in both Savannah and Rome en route to Mississippi. I stayed w/Tammy in Savannah and had the BEST time ever! Thursday night she, Laura, and I did karaoke til 1am at the house. I haven't laughed that hard in a LONG time!! Yesterday I left for Rome and my air conditioning decided to act up. The fan was blowing as hard as it would go but hardly any air came out. About 45 minutes outside of Rome I got caught in traffic on 75 and the sun was beating down on my car and I was sweating bullets. It was so hot outside that when I rolled my windows down it felt like a sauna. So, needless to say, I had to take it to a repair shop the minute I got into town. I sat for two hours while they found nothing wrong w/the air conditioning, though they did say cleaning it out would help. I am just praying that on the way to Mississippi Monday that it won't act up again. At least let it wait until I get home!!

I'm off now to meet Heather for breakfast and then to have a nice workout at the Y. Tomorrow is the day I'm speaking at a local church here a/b supporting me. I'm praying that this will go well as I'm rather nervous (yes even drama queen's get nervous!).

packing up

Tomorrow I head out of town for 17 days. Not quite 3 weeks but I'm sure it's going to feel that way by the time I come home. And then when I get home I'll have exactly 3 weeks left.
Someone asked me recently what's the one thing I'm going to miss while I'm gone. Just ONE thing? Impossible. There are several things I'm going to miss. My parents and my family, my church family, my friends, Target, Barnes & Noble, Steinmart....SOUTHERN COOKING!!! I was running errands today and every time I get into the car now I think a/b how much longer I have to drive my car up and down San Jose...or how much time I have left to call my friends for free on my cell phone...or being able to do a Bible devotion w/my mom...Yes, I'm going to miss all of these things and more I'm sure. But I know why I'm going and I know for Whom I'm going. That's all that matters.

First post!

Just wanted everyone to see my prayer card! They came in on Friday and I'll be mailing them off (and handing them out at church) soon! Just two and a half weeks until PFO and I am REALLY getting excited. Hope everyone is doing great.

Love, Allison