Delta Airlines gracefully waived all of our bag fees for the trip, which essentially saved us over $1,000 because of the size of the donation bags. We ended up with 5 duffel bags which were filled to the brim right around 70 lbs. The amount of donations that we received is incredible. Beanie Babies, toys, medical supplies, clothing, shoes, and a few things our American friends would LOVE to have. I can’t even believe how blessed we have been in that journey. The funds that would have been used for the bags will now be donated to My Father’s House. Just another gift from our community of friends and family that have rallied behind the cause and the trip.

I’ve been thinking a lot about the ways that the Lord prepares our hearts, minds, and even bodies before we can even recognize it. Right now, I think back to my summer of travel with the Southwest Airlines internship. I got so comfortable in a hectic setting that stresses the masses out. I can even manage to fall asleep while people are running, children are screaming, and everyone needs their coffee. I put in the headphones, put on some Explosions in the Sky, and let it all happen. I’ve actually been anticipating this moment a lot after little sleep and a lot of movement. It’s pretty incredible to think about the possibility that the Lord had this trip in mind when he opened up the door for me to work at Southwest. It ventures back further and further to the opportunities that shape me. I was just telling a friend this afternoon about the progression of my passion and enthusiasm for service in Africa. At this time last year, the thought of going to Africa was secondary to many other things. A career, a family, and a list of goals and accomplishments that I created for myself. Many people that know my story and have seen this door of opportunity open up will attest that it was entirely the Lord’s doing in my life, something that I could never take credit for. Could I have predicted this as a part of my life, my season, and my story? Hardly.

So here we go. The adventure continues, the flights begin, and my soul is ready. It is well.