Back on the Blog, Back from Africa

I know don't even say it! I have been awful about updating my blog. The last six months have just been a little crazy. However, there are no excuses and today the 23rd of May I am making a new commitment to my family blog. It has a new look and I am motivated.

I recently returned from a medical mission trip to Africa, which was amazing. Actually, I struggle with the words to describe it. I have to say.... it is awkward when someone says, "How was your trip?". The truth is there are no words. How do you describe seeing millions of children without food or shelter, without someone to love them, or trying to understand that the only reason that they have that life and not me is God's grace. I experienced so much I could literally tell you story after story that would break your heart. I know that there is no description of these people and what they go through on a day to day basis that I could give that would be an accurate account of their life. I will tell you what I learned however, and how I was forever changed! It's funny, at the beginning of the trip I was an emotional wreck. You can imagine what it did to my soul seeing 5 year old children taking care of babies because they had no parents due to AIDS, and children that only get portage served to them three times a week as their only food supply. After a while though, I found myself jealous of them. These people had such an amazing love for life and for their Savior! I remember being in tears at one point thinking I will never know God the way these people do! They depend on him for everything and they trust that he will provide. Sometimes I think that I am so blessed and I have so much abundance and resource around me that I wonder if I even know how to trust God like that. I began to yearn for the love they have and the heart they have in the midst of having nothing. Okay, sorry about the deep thoughts I could go on forever, but there is a little glimpse of my trip and what God did in my heart. I love all you guys and thank you for your prayers and thoughts while I was there.