The Timing of it All

As I sit back and think about how this trip is coming together, I know without a doubt that this is where I'm supposed to be going. My heart and my passion has always been for children-even when I was a little girl. I think I was in middle school when I started telling people that I wanted to work in adoptions. I'm pretty sure I didn't really even know what that meant-just that it was a way to bring families together and I wanted to be part of that!! As I began to learn and grow in my faith, James 1:27 was burned into my heart. It says, "Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for the orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you." (New Living Translation) God cares about the orphan. He sees them and he knows them. It is my responsibility to do something-to be a part of His plan for their lives.

So I went to school, did what I never thought I'd do and went back to school, and got a job. All the while I was praying, seeking, and asking God to use me-to make an opportunity available. I'll be honest-I have been antsy for the past year or so. I was ready and wanted to do something now!! But, He asked me to wait. In that time, He has prepared me. He has used my work with birthparents to teach me and humble me. When I first started working in adoptions, I did not give birthfamilies the honor and credit they are due. The women and families I have worked with are some of the most courageous, loving, and selfless people I have met. I now know, God wanted me to learn this before He released me to go. Finally, over the summer, I began to feel that now was the time. I looked and researched and prayed and looked some more. I kept coming back to one place-Amani Baby Cottage. Some of it was due to my Type A personality and the rest because I believe that's where the Lord wants me. Their website outlined the expectations of their volunteers and answered many of my questions-so I applied and four weeks later was invited to come and serve with them!!

My next big task was asking for the time off of work. I am blessed beyond words to work for an organization that, without question, is allowing me a three month leave of absence. I get to go to Uganda and come home three months later to the job that I love! How amazing is that?!? So now, I know where I'm going, I know when I'm going, I have permission to go. My heart wants to be there already-I just need a plane ticket!!! I hope to have that done this week. Getting so close!

The Beginning

I can honestly say I never thought I'd be one to start a blog. I do my fair share of blog stalking and enjoy reading what is on other people's minds, hearing their perspective, looking at pictures, you know-all that fun stuff that's out there. But me? Posting my thoughts for all to read? Who would have thought? Well, here I am embarking on an adventure and putting it out there in bloggyland. My hope is to use this to document my preparations and journey to Jinja, Uganda to serve in an orphanage there. The Lord has called me and I'm going. I could not be more excited!! A little scared? YES! But mostly humbled and amazed that He would choose me to go. So, thank you for stopping by. Thank you in advance for your support and prayers. I look forward to sharing my journey with you.