Mission

I did something this week that is completely and totally exciting.  I called a travel agent and booked a ticket to Ethiopia.  That's right!  My mom, sister and I are going on a mission trip to Ethiopia this winter.  My mom and sister have been planning on going for months.  I didn't even consider it until my husband and I were talking one night . . . I couldn't believe it when he was telling me he thought we could work it out.  (LOVE HIM!)

I can't quite wrap my head around it.  I haven't been on a mission trip since college and have been longing for another opportunity, never dreaming it would be this!!!

My thoughts range from "what was I thinking?" to "I can't believe I am going to AFRICA!"  to "I can't believe I am going to Africa with my MOM and SISTER!" 

According to my sister, our time will be spent: holding babies, playing with kids, ministering to widows and single moms, and showing the love of Jesus in Ethiopia! 

While there, we will visit:

Several orphanages and street children's shelter http://www.duttonfoundation.org/

Awake and Alive Kindergarten Center http://www.noordinarylove.org/

Project Tesfa training program http://www.projecttesfa.org/

 

What an amazing opportunity!!!!! 

You know me, before I even made the call to book the ticket I started worrying:

• How can I be away from my family for that long?
• Who's going to take care of my babies when I am gone?
• Is my heart strong enough to see the things we are going to see?
• How am I going to leave Ethiopia without wanting to bring all of those babies home with me?
• How much can I collect to bring with me?
• What can I do in 7 days, so that when I am gone, it will matter that I was there?   
• Am I being selfish for wanting to go on this mission?  Will it be a blessing and not a burden for my family?

That's just the tip of the iceberg!  Because if you know me at all, you know I am already worried about packing! 

This is a big deal.  I'm excited and scared and nervous and anxious and can become totally overwhelmed if I let myself.  But most of all, I am so grateful for this amazing opportunity.  And so blessed to be going on this journey with my mom and sister. 

Purple T-Shirts

 

Last Friday night, the girls and I had the honor to attend the Relay for Life with my mom's Relay team, the 23 Hooters.  It was our 4th year in a row cheering these ladies on.  A high-light of our summer.

 

If you have never been to one of these events, they are really quite amazing.  Hundreds of people gather to raise money for the American Cancer Society.  The teams compete to see who raises the most money by the end of the night, selling a variety of food and crafts.  (Our favorite this year was the caramel corn!)  The teams also raise money throughout the year through different fund raisers and sell luminaries, decorated with the names of people who have fought, or are fighting cancer. 

Pinky helped me decorate some special luminaries this year. 
Each one has a candle inside to be lit later in the evening. 

 

Many of the teams that participate have special t-shirts made that represent their team.  They also get t-shirts for participating.  These shirts are typically white.  This year, the team captains got green t-shirts. Then, there are the purple shirts.  Everyone knows the purple shirt.  It is the shirt that everyone admires.  

 

Purple = Survivor

 

 





My mom and our dear friend, Jean!  Joined in sisterhood by the purple shirt.

 

After the opening ceremonies, the purple shirts gather on the track for the opening lap of the Relay.  This lap is called the survivor lap.  Survivors (and their caregivers) form a sea of purple walking around the track.  It is breathtaking.  It is heartwarming.  It is humbling.  Because we all know that next year, anyone of us could be wearing a purple shirt and walking in that lap.  And as we clap and cheer for these brave, beautiful people wearing their purple shirts . . . we also hope that we are never part of their elite group.  

 

 

 

The Survivor Lap

4th Survivor Lap

Not sure how many laps she has walked . . .
but if my math is right, this could be her 16th or 17th.



First survivor lap



Final stretch of the survivor lap. 
There's no kind of about it:  It's a BIG deal!

Time to join up with their team for the rest of the evening.....

The 23 Hooters in their new John Deere sweatshirts! 

Friends, Teammates and Survivors! 
3 of my favorite ladies! 

The rain kind of put a damper on things, but we still took a lap around the track!!!

Rosie's first Relay was a little wet.  Fortunately, there were lots of
"Hooters" happy to snuggle with her under the tent!

We're here because they're here! 
Our moms are amazing, strong, and faithful! 
I hope they each have a closet jam-packed FULL of purple t-shirts one day!