300 Donations AND the Beach...What a Week!!

I wish blogger would come up with a new feature. It would be really, REALLY nice for blogs to appear based on your thoughts about them...you know, telepathic blogging! Or maybe even after you view the pictures you took on a vacation, they just magically appear on the blog with captions? Can't someone technical figure out how that could happen?

I would be a much better and more consistent blogger, that's for sure!

So, we did this for four days this week:

And, it was SO nice to relax with my sisters and their sweet kids (and hubbies). It was a wonderful few days away, and it consisted of sitting by the beach, laying out in the sun (which some sisters may have done too long), eating yummy meals at our beach house, sleeping really soundly after days in water and sun, swimming in the pool and ocean, boogie boarding on great waves, and digging in the sand. Pretty good week, for sure!

Abby Kate LOVED boogie boarding, although she preferred the SKULL boogie board the most, which we borrowed from the home owners' garage. I don't even know what to think about this. She called it HER boogie board all week. :)

But at least she writes sweet things like "I love Mommy" in the sand...she was so proud to surprise me!

After working for hours, we finally finished our awesome sand castle, complete with windows and bridges and stairs!

Ha! Just kidding! Some people had a sandcastle building class right next to us, so we staged a few shots for kicks. :)

Oh my, I love these cousins so much. They were so stinkin' cute spending the week together!

And, seriously. Have you ever seen a cuter beach buddy than this guy? Brewer was the best baby ever and just chillaxed in the shade.

After a few wonderful days laying on the beach, swimming in the ocean, and eating way too much food, it was time to get back to work on the Rwanda trip and on the preparation that is still underway for our team!

And, guess what I found out when I returned home?

WE HAVE MET OUR GOAL OF 300 DONATIONS FOR NOEL!!

43 days ago, we launched a campaign to fund some major initiatives at Noel Orphanage this summer. It was our biggest financial campaign yet, and we asked for 300 people to give $50, for a total of $15,000 to use for medicine, hygiene, food, and developmental needs for orphans. There were days in the last couple of weeks that I honestly wasn't sure we would make it. But, as He always does, He provided! As of Thursday, we had 301 donations!! He is faithful, and YOU are faithful to listen to His call. Thank you for making it possible to not only have the $15,000 in funds, but because of some dear generous hearts who I love SO MUCH, we have an additional $10,000 matching fund to add to that!

So, in 43 days, we have $25,050 for the children of Noel, with a week to spare!

When I wondered if we could raise it this time...when I doubted that people wanted to hear from us again about a campaign for money...when I prayed and asked repeatedly if this really was His plan...He said "Trust me. I have this." And He did.

He has this whole thing in His hands. But, He is still gentle enough to remind me again when I forget.

And, speaking of the whole "reminding-me-repeatedly-that-He's-in-control" thing...He's had to do it again this week. :)

Mark and I have each been to Africa three times in the last year. Not one of those trips did I get nervous or worried about what we had decided to do. Sure, I KNOW all the things that can happen on a trip like this, and I know that if I let myself "go there", I would find of plenty of reasons to worry. But, I can't even begin to describe the peace that has settled over our hearts and minds on every single trip. Worry just hasn't been an issue at all. And, He has been faithful to protect and sustain us.

But, this time it has been a bit different for me.

Sure, I have been to Africa. But, I haven't been responsible for a team of people before. I haven't taken my children before. And, I haven't been keenly aware of how many ridiculous little details have to line up for a trip like this to happen with 40+ people.

So, I'll be honest. The last two days have suddenly had some streaks of worry. Questions pop in my head. I lie awake at night just praying verse after verse about God's protection and faithfulness, just trying to shake off the anxiety...trying to remember that the God who whispers "Trust Me", is in full control, even when I'm not.

The other morning, I woke up before 6, thinking. And, praying. I have certain passages "hidden in my heart" about this topic, because it used to be an even bigger problem for me. So, as I am laying there praying for safety as we travel, for the children we will serve, for God to go before us...I start reciting my usual: "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God..." As I continued the verse, God stopped me in my tracks, and just gave me Isaiah 40. We had memorized it earlier in the school year, and I started saying it out loud.

"To whom will you compare me, or who is my equal? says the Holy One. Lift your eyes and look to the heavens! Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host and calls them each by name. Because of HIS GREAT POWER AND MIGHTY STRENGTH NOT ONE OF THEM IS MISSING!! Do you not know, Chelsea? Have you not heard, Chelsea? The LORD is the EVERLASTING GOD, the Creator of the ends of the earth! He does not grow tired or weary, and His understanding no one can fathom! He gives STRENGTH to the WEARY and increases the POWER of the WEAK! Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall. But, those who HOPE IN THE LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles, they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."

Thank you, Lord. You're right. I trust you. :)

We ARE trusting Him. He has everything in His capable hands. And, He is going before us, even as we prepare to leave in ONLY SIX MORE DAYS!!! Unbelievable.

Now, the next blog is going to be about some of the AMAZING people who have been so generous with their time, talents, and resources to bless this trip. I hope to have it up in the next couple of days.

But, you know, if telepathic blogging would be invented, I could have had it done two weeks ago!