Believe it or not, I have just eight more days until I leave for Uganda!

How in the world has two YEARS passed by so quickly? I think about those tiny preemies and newborns I posted pictures of during my last trip to Uganda and then try to imagine them as running, jumping, and TALKING two year olds. It feels very surreal at this point to know that in just a week or two I will get to visit with them and be back helping to care for a whole new group of infants and toddlers who have found their way to The Bulrushes.

I'm so excited with the direction God is allowing my life to go and I have lots of hope and anticipation about what this year is going to bring. I am amazed at the way things have come together. Last year, my mom and I were discussing the realities of preparing for a journey like this and she asked me how it was going to happen. There were flights to arrange, more vaccinations needed, funds to acquire for living expenses, paperwork to fill out, and medical issues to deal with. The lists of what needed to be "done" would seem impossibly long some days. And in my heart, even though I believed that my desire to return to Uganda and Baby Watoto was the direction I was to be heading, I wrestled with the fact that it would mean being separated from family and friends here. Making this choice also meant giving up full time employment and more importantly leaving two children I love to the moon and back. However, in the end I looked at Mom and said, "Well, we'll just have to see how God works things out".

Now I sit here with just some last minute details and packing to take care of. God has been good enough to guide me through the year and help me check off that long "to-do list".

• I wondered if I could really do this and He gave me renewed strength and confidence to move forward.
• I questioned how to proceed and take care of the logistics and He brought people who had answers.
• I longed to share the great news of what God is doing through Watoto in Uganda and He brought people who listened and celebrated with me.

I am even finding the time to get together with people I care about and spend time together before I go. Ahhh....being given the gift of time with people you love...

I don't really feel like I've written enough here and yet I think I'm finished for now. Check back here whenever you can. I love to know that people are stopping by and reading so please leave a note for me...even if it's just to keep on me about writing more often. I'm looking forward to keeping connected with you through here.

God bless and good night!