Countdown at 3.5 days....

Sitting in front of my computer. Half a toast still on my desk from this mornings breakfast. I promised myself I'd eat healthy this week in preparation for the trip. But cuban toast dipped in cuban coffee is almost a sin to pass on. It will definitely be a detail I'll miss when I'm gone. I am speaking as if I'll be gone for years haha. Truth is, when you're 5,174.1 miles away from home and immersed in a different country, culture, and people for 3 weeks - time can go slow. I am most certain however, at the end of it all, it'll feel as if time flew by and we had just arrived. The toast is now gone.

The time it took for the trip to finally arrive felt like an eternity a few months ago - yet, the countdown is now at 3 days...perfect example at how time plays tricks with us. So many things on my mind. So many things to do. So little time.

Today, June 18, 2013.

I can honestly say that I did not at all plan to be traveling so far this year - even more so going on a missions trip was not on my agenda either. This will be my first. For years, my mother was the missions director at our old church for almost 10 years. She has definitely had her share of experiences traveling twice a year to medically assist under resourced children. Provide food and clean water to sponsored children was the goal on her missions. I remember dropping her off and picking her up at the airport all the time. Listening to her stories, the sometimes, warm, cold, heartbreaking, hilarious stories. Her eyes would tear up as she shared how she left a piece of her heart with the children each trip. The opportunity for me to finally travel with her came close as I was finally old enough but unfortunately it did not happen. Until now.

From the moment I heard about the opportunity to travel on a missions trip to the Ukraine a few months ago, the nudge in my heart caused me to sign up. In faith - really, because I did not have any idea how I was going to come up with the finances and it seemed a bit too far fetched.

As the weeks passed by however, I began to see Gods hand. How he was providing through generous hands - hands that have decided to invest and bless me with offerings and prayers. I am forever thankful to each one of you.