Could there really only be four more sleeps until I leave for Uganda? Let's see....

4 sleeps....24 hours a day....that's.....ummm.....24+24+24+24....no way! Yes, I think so....Wait! The calculator.....Thursday (12.5 left) Friday (24) Saturday (24) Sunday (24) Monday (23 hours 55 minutes) :)

I'm a math whiz! Drum roll please............

107.5 hours until I leave. Thank goodness! Here I thought I had less than 100 hours to go!

Ok...minus work.....Thursday (7) Friday (11).....minus "night with the girls" on Friday (4)....minus Cornerstone dinner on Saturday (7)....sleep....right....I need to sleep....8 (yeah, right!) hours/night x 4 nights (32).....minus dinner and goodbyes Monday night (6 -- yes, it does take me a long time to say goodbye).....minus team BBQ on Sunday (4)....so where are we now?

calculator........drum roll......107.5-71=36.5

Look at that 36.5 hours of "free time". Time to pack, pay bills, do banking, clean up my place. Some people put in a whole work week in 36.5 hours and I have that much "leisure time" left. So why am I sitting with this panicky feeling that I'm not going to get from here to there and it's all going to fall apart? I know it's unwarranted and that I'll have everything I need by then and it'll all work out, but still, I'm given to moments of panic. Like when I remember I have to also do laundry, still go shopping, get to church Sunday morning and, oh yes, bathe. Maybe I should be picking up a copy of that book, "Don't Sweat the Small Stuff".

Last Sunday morning at church, I ran into Reese Archer after service and she asked me how everything is going. A calm came over me as I was reminded of why I'm going. "Just get me to Uganda and put a baby in my arms" was my answer to her. That's the important part of this journey. Right now my head is just busy with all this "stuff" because I haven't done this before. My brain is trying to figure out the best way of sorting everything I have to do and it's having to create "new folders" because a lot of it is new. But how exciting! What a challenge! What a gift to be able to do this!

And I've had so much support. People have gotten involved and their support and encouragement is so appreciated. If I don't say it when I see you, please know that I go away with a lighter heart once I've spoken to you. And to all of you who have said that you wish you could come with me or are "living vicariously" through me....welcome on board. This next month is going to be fabulous!

Kids are taking me by surprise...

Matthew (the 4 year old I care for) took me by surprise yesterday. We were on our way to a birthday party for one of his friends when he piped up from the back seat, "So Shannon, how's your life?" I wasn't quite sure how to answer that one. I've been so preoccupied with preparing to prepare to leave at the end of the month that I've honestly been a little overwhelmed by the whole thing for the past couple of weeks. There are items to buy, appointments to keep, bags to pack, and really all I want to do is spend as much time as possible with the people I'm going to miss while I'm away (and get more sleep!). But Matthew didn't ask me what was going on in my head, he didn't ask what was next on the to do list or if I thought I'd fit in everything I want to do before I go. Matthew was in the moment. "How's your life?" Right this instant. Here. Now. Today. And as we drove up Royal York Drive I regained some perspective. I have a place to live. I have a job. I have a family and friends who love me. Life has it's stresses and challenges as always, but I was able to look back in the rear view mirror, smile and say "My life is good thanks Matthew." (By the way, I asked the same question of Matthew and he said that he thought his life was good too! A nanny loves to hear that.)



I was also surprised yesterday by a group of eight special young people. Kelly, who I went to highschool with is now a teacher at the highschool in Bracebridge where we attended. She teaches a class of eight students. When they heard about my trip to Uganda and that there was going to be a shower held to benefit The Bulrushes, they decided to take on a special project. The class had shown an interest in learning how to sew and they went out and purchased some material. Then each student set to work sewing a baby blanket! Kelly's mom and dad made a visit to my parents' house last night to tell them about what has been happening and Mom called me today to fill me in. I'm so deeply touched by their hard work and willingness to get involved. You can't imagine how excited I am to have the privilege of delivering these special gifts.



Love, compassion and generosity are alive and well folks!

24 days left until I leave for Uganda!

Showers of Blessing

It's time to celebrate!

This Saturday my mom, Sue, and I will be hosting a baby shower to benefit The Bulrushes. I'm so excited to have the opportunity to share with people (some of whom I've known my whole life) what The Bulrushes is all about and to share stories and show pictures of the children. Some of these little ones have been through so much. I've shed more than a tear or two thinking about the rough start they have had, but then I see them healthy, fed, clothed, smiling, playing...it's a great thing that Watoto has started and I'm crazy thrilled to be even a little part of it.

I'm praying for sun and hear that we may have more than our share of heat this weekend. No matter the weather, I know it's going to be a great day! My heart beats faster each time I see or hear of someone responding in kindness and generosity to the little babes on the other side of the world. Who knows what difference it will all make someday? I can't wait to see.