1/2 way there

My family and friends have given so humbly... I have received $1500 so far from all of you!!! THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND FUNDING of this trip. It really moves me to tears. I cant explain the excitement I have going to the mailbox everyday - I am like a little girl at Christmas times... EXCEPT this is a MILLION times better because this is not just a gift to me - there is a much bigger meaning to all of this... and a lot more little life's that will be touched because of all of you. Thank you so, so, so VERY MUCH! I CANT WAIT!!!!

I am so very grateful

As I start receiving support from all of my friends and family I cant help to stop and think about how thankful I am for all of you. I am thankful to the support system around me who are sending their hard earned money and their most sweetest blessings. I am thankful for my family and my little sisters inspiring words - she doesn't know it, but she brings tears to my eyes a lot of the time. I am so grateful for my job and my boss who is so supportive of my dreams. I am thankful for the team of people that I will be traveling to Cambodia with. We are all still getting to know each other, but there is something special in all of us... and every time we meet it becomes more and more obvious that God put us all together for a very special reason.
Today when we met, we talked about Proverbs 16:9 which says "In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps." This verse is really important to me. I was trying to explain this to my group, but ended up just blabbing and probably confusing them all... haha! Typical of me huh?
Anyways... if you know me well, you know how much I like planning my days out, my weeks out, my months out... Oh who am I fooling I try to plan my whole life out! :-) And I pray to the Lord every morning to help me let go of all of this and give it all go to God. Its one of the hardest things for me to do... let go of control... or what I think is my control... but it is BY FAR THE MOST REWARDING THING YOU COULD DO. Between work, and school, and social life, the little things that you deal with everyday, and in preparing for this trip I pray to God everyday to help me let go and trust him. There is so much I want to do in life and a million places I want to be - but I know NOW that God will use me where he needs me, even if its not particularly where I want to be. And there WILL be obstacles along the way... and like my little sister said, so beyond her years, even when you release all control, there is an evil out there that will try to change your thinking and your faith... but YOU CANT LET IT!!! YOU MUST STAND STRONG!
So if you are reading this and praying is your thing, please keep me in your prayers that I can keep giving it all to God. And if you find yourself in the same place as me and sometimes its hard to give it all to Him... I will be praying for you. When it gets hard or you question God's intentions just remember my favorite Bible verse from when I was a little girl, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean NOT on your OWN understandings. In all your ways acknowledge him and he shall direct your paths." Proverbs 3: 5-6

THANKS AGAIN FOR ALL YOUR GENEROSITY, PRAYERS, and SUPPORT! It means the world!!!!

VISA, SHOTS, and PREPARATION

I am filling out my VISA right now for Cambodia and figuring out what shots/vaccines I need to get from my doctor. How exciting! The trip is less than 2 months away!!! I cant believe I am really doing this!!! Especially since after yesterday my mom sent me a warning posted by the US Embassy:

The U.S.Embassy advises U.S. Citizens to avoid large public gatherings and crowded public areas. Land mines and unexploded ordnance are found in rural areas throughout Cambodia, especially in BATTAMBANG!!

Cambodia has a high crime rate, including street crime. Military weapons and explosives are readily available to criminals despite authorities' efforts to collect and destroy such weapons.Armed robberies occur frequently in Phnon Penh. Foreign residents and visitors are among the victims. Victims of armed robberies are reminded not to resist their attackers and to surrender their valuables, since any perceived resistance may be met with physical violence, including lethal force. LOCAL POLICE RARELY INVESTIGATE REPORTS OF CRIME AGAINST TOURISTS!!

Medical Facilities do not even meet international standards, that's real scary should you get sick or worse get the "bird flu." Check with your health insurance before you leave to confirm whether their policy applies overseas and weather it will cover emergency expenses such as a medical evacuation.

"Are you absolutely sure you want to do this ???? i for one am beginning to panic." (THAT WAS WRITTEN BY MY MOM)

The U.S. Embassy is located at No. 1, Street 96 (near Wat Phnom), Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The telephone number is (855-23) 728-000

I guess Uncle Tom and Aunt Karen were right... I am a little nuts... but GOD IS GOOD everyone and so there is no need to worry too much. My team and i... we are in his hands for this 2 weeks when we are over there. I AM SOO EXCITED!!!!

PS: Thanks for EVERYONE who is sending their prayers and support back to me... I most have the MOST gracious FAMILY and FRIENDS!
AMEN!