Team Meeting

Chad and I had a GREAT time bonding with the Cambodia Team at the Eubanks' home Friday night. We got to meet the 3 ladies from the Prairie Grove church that will be traveling with us. I loved that everyone shared what this journey means to them and what their hopes are for the trip. All of us are shaped differently and have something unique to offer the children and the leadership at the Rapha Houses in Cambodia. Our evening together definitely made me even more excited about what God has in store for us.

Now it is time to read up on the Cambodian History, namely the genocide by the Khmer Rouge which lasted until 1991!!!!

Team Building

We are having dinner as a team tonight, and I am super excited. The group that is going includes 9 people from the church I attend (Bella Vista Christian) and 3 ladies from Prairie Grove Christian. We will be traveling with Stephanie Freed who is the director for RAPHA HOUSE. I can't believe we leave in 73 days!!! It is becoming more and more a reality. I can't wait to watch the whole experience unfold. I am sure it has already started to alter the way I think and there is so much more adventure and JOURNEY OF FAITH ahead. Thanks so much for your support both finacially and in prayer. You are making this all happen. LOVE to all of you.

Checking-in

Things have been slow since the garage sale. As soon as I know exactly what my home church's support is, I will know exactly where I am on the fundraising. I should be right at my $2600 which covers the travel! God is great and so are my friends and family!!!

The 31 Party wasn't a huge success, but my momentum had been so good up to that point that I needed that reality check. I really appreciate my friend Sheri for offering me her entire take on the party. It turns out that not everyone needs a cute bag no matter how great the cause. WHO KNEW! We did get 7 or 8 orders, so it wasn't a complete wash.

It is time for hard and earnest prayer. It is time to spend fervent time praying for the girls and leadership at RAPHA and for the travel. Others are still a ways from reaching their funding goal, so prayer for that is key as well.

Also, it is time to start team building. I don't know the team we are going with very well with a few exceptions. My friend Shannon says that we will come back feeling like family, so I am excited to get to know everyone better.

We did add a new member to our team last week. I am SO excited about HEATHER WALTRIP joining us!

THANKS AND LOVE TO YOU ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Garage Sale

Wellllllllllllllll........... despite the candle-melting temps, we made $450 at the garage sale. I am pleased with that. That is enough funds to complete the funds needed to cover the $2600 for the plane tickets and lodging while I am there!

I am in awe of how God has worked through so many people to make this goal a reality. My faith is definitely growing in leaps and bounds!!!

My next steps are to
* finish this 31 FUNDRAISER (if you need a bag, message me! They are WAY CUTE!).
* go to thrift stores in search of clothes to wear while I am there. I will leave my clothing there for anyone who might need it!!!
* Help the others on my team to raise their funds. SILENT AUCTION ON AUGUST 28th!
* Solicit lots of PRAYER

Thanks so much everyone for following this journey. I will fly away to Cambodia in 92 DAYS!

Next Event

I am having a YARD SALE this weekend! Thanks to all those that have donated their "treasures" to the cause. I am super excited to see what happens. The prayer request is for lots of shoppers and no rain! The kids will also have a Lemonade Stand for the cause. They are pumped about that. I will let you know what we net. We may just reach $3000 sooner rather than later. God is good and I am thankful. Ok, now I am off to organize and price stuff. =)

Lessons being learned

I have raised $2000 so far. I have learned more than I ever realized I would.

1) Sometimes your own sisters in Christ aren't the most understanding and supportive as you thought they might be.

2) Some people are way more generous than you ever would have imagined!

3) The biggest lesson so far............ I want to be more giving and generous in the future, because of what so many of you have taught me!!!!

4) Matthew 19:26
Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
I LOVE seeing his providence in action in such a measurable and concrete way! Our God is an awesome God!

SIDE NOTE: I am so excited to be celebrating 15 years of marriage this week! I am really in love with a wonderful man. That is something worth celebrating in my book! =)