getting the ball rolling

This afternoon, I spoke with a missionary couple serving in Granada-- Tom & Jane Wills. I felt like it was a good initial conversation with them. I hope to be having many more. I'm also ready to be over there.

I am nervous about next week when I have Assessment & Orientation Week up in Philadelphia. I had to fill out a few tests, and I will be receiving my results from them, so it should be interesting and informative. Now that I think about it, excitement trumps my anxiety.... I get to meet some new people who will be doing the same thing as me for the next couple years! I hope I am able to really connect with at least one other girl while I am there. Additionally, I will be living with a family for a week, so that will bring new experiences!

More about the convo with Tom & Jane: Like I was already praying, they told me that an ideal scenario would be for me to be in Spain by March. I was thrilled with that news! What's difficult about that, though, is less time being around the family. It's tough to even talk about leaving for Spain, because I know it's difficult for my family. I think it's hard to understand what I'm doing when one hasn't felt a calling like this before. On the other hand, it's hard for me to understand where my parents are coming from because I don't have children. Two years isn't that long, though!! While in Granada, I feel like I'll have my hands in many different things... I like the idea of meeting people, building relationships, sharing the gospel, learning Spanish, living in community, working alongside of a team, planting a church, and meeting any other needs.

I know that support-raising is a faith-building process, but I'm already worried about doing it. It's such a blessing that for the past few summers I haven't had any problem raising funds, and I've had the most amazing support team. However, this time I'm gone for much longer and already feel alone. In the past, several friends and I raised support simultaneously and I was in school around all my friends. This time is just different, and I'm going to start praying for my support tonight. I would really love to be gone by March..... maybe spend another birthday at the beach in Nerja?? :)