Are you "excited"?

So I probably just broke like 10 blogging rules by posting 2 times within the last 3 hours. And this is my 3rd time! Just accept it- I'm a rebel blogger :)

Common question: "Are you excited?" I get that a lot before a mission trip. To be honest, I'm not usually when people ask me. The right word would be: exhausted. Mentally, physically, and spiritually I feel like I'm clinging on the edge of a cliff about to fall into an unknown world.

But, as of right now...I am incredibly excited! And I think it's a gift from God. This past week has been an "ugly" part of this trip (and yes, I'm learning preparation before a trip is still "part" of the trip). Let's just say when I'm stressed, I'm not a pretty person. I act a lot like Tom from Tom and Jerry. I can never win. Everything is just 10 times worse and I'm running after something I can never catch.

But at some point this past week, I felt like I just needed to stop. Stop all my hysterics and just go for a run (and I wouldn't say I "enjoy" running). But I just needed time alone outside with just the road ahead, and the sky above, and freedom in the form of cool air rushing into my lungs and stress pouring out. And time with my God that isn't confined to my suitcase or to-do lists or to figuring out how a blog works. So, I ran. And I ran not only to the creek down our road, but into the arms of the God that I so desperately need, but so easily leave behind when the stress piles up. But that's when it hit me again. God's reminder that this trip isn't about me and about my lists or to-do's, but about Him. That's it. And I feel so much peace. It took something that never belonged to me, and put it back in the hands of the one it belongs to- God.

So am I excited now? Yes. I'm elated to take part in a trip that belongs to God and is about God. And I'm excited to be sharing in this journey with all of you. Because that's what this trip is about...all of us going together and sharing in loving much on people and in making much of God.