Everything is moving incredibly fast right now. Today, we had tons of kids on campus for the ACSI Speech Meet, and I watched as some incredibly talented kids stood in front of strangers and spoke words of poetic, artistic, political, and spiritual empowerment. I was blown away by these kids, who came from schools from all over the state. I was most intrigued by the students that were involved in the Impromptu section, in which they walked to the back of the room, received a sheet of paper with a quote, thought, or current event topic and were forced to speak about it with only 30 seconds of preparation. (3-7 minutes of sharing time). I’m glad I met some of these future student leaders and world changers.

Now that my last day in the office is wrapping up, it all starts to come together on an instant. My list of things that need to get done before I leave tomorrow is wild. I head in a few minutes to gather some donations for the trip (I will have 3-4 huge bags of donations thanks to all of you),  see my parents, and prepare the packing. I’m a bit nervous about the Malaria medication, but I’m sure it beats having Malaria. Throughout the day people kept reminding me that in less than 24 hours, I will be on a flight to Uganda. It still almost seemed unreal, but its sinking in pretty quickly now. My first time outside of America, the first time ever at an international orphanage, and I’m sure there will be many other “first times” to go with it. I’m not really nervous about the idea of being away from American soil, as I’ve always desired to see new places and experience new cultures, but there is a lot of thoughts that come with the realization that you’re headed to a place where, ultimately, you have no control. I”ve grown up in comfort, in peace, and in rich blessings. Now, I will hear the stories and experience firsthand the stories of many that have not necessarily had those three upbringings. Often times, the hardest part is simply letting go. Opening your hands up, spreading your arms out, and taking the leap. But with that vulnerability comes the thrill of the movement, the unnatural, and the ride itself.

I surrender all. Soli Deo Gloria.