Too Much Christmas Morning

The story goes that I once had a tantrum when presented with a stack of Christmas gifts. Fell apart at the seams, kicked and screamed. Still in the toddle stage, I had been spoiled by grandmas and doting aunties all day long, dutifully tearing into one mound of Santa's blessings after another. When my parents and I arrived at Grandpa Jim's house that evening for  a rerun, I faced the Christmas tree and came unglued. Poor Grandpa.
Well, here I am confessing that emotional little girl still lives somewhere inside this grown up. She revealed herself sometime a week or two ago and as often as I tried to reason her away, she came back with all her baby tears. The more I talk it out, the more I blubber, and the less sense I make. "My daddy leaves town tomorrow." *Sob* "Another donation posted to my account!" *Bawl* *I have too much to do in one week!" *waaa* "My dream is really coming true!" *boohoo* Maybe I've had too much Christmas morning.

God Did It!

The month of August has arrived in a swirl of happy busyness.

I am in Nashville, Tennessee, eating up the precious moments with my new niece, Olivia Kathryn. Why yes, Kathryn is my middle name too, thank you for noticing!

                            

"Livi"

                   

Last week sent me road-tripping to Michigan with my sister’s family to witness the breathtaking wedding of dear ones.

Dr. and Mrs. Matthew Chetta

The week before took me to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, for a few days of intense pre-field training and fellowship with the staff at ABWE and other eager short-term candidates like myself.

Team Asia

Leah (whom I am joining in Nepal) and I even had a chance to catch up and make plans.

Somewhere in the middle of all these hundreds (thousands?) of miles and Kodak moments, the month of July came to a close.

July 31.

By the end of July, you remember, I needed to raise $5000.

ABWE required the $5000 before I could be cleared to book a flight. I needed financial clearance by the end of July in order to start my trek east by the end of August, a goal that is important because of visa policies in Nepal.

An impassable mountain.

But that was okay, because my God delights in scaling insurmountable obstacles.

And this week, I stand in awe again, as I look back on a mountain no human could remove.

Only God.

Only God could move the hearts of His people to give the astounding support I’ve received.

Only God could meet my July goal by 104%, a week ahead of schedule.

Only God can supply the needs not yet met, take me safely to Nepal, keep me there, use me.

Only God can convey to your hearts the intense joy, delight, anticipation, the deep gratitude I am powerless to express.

                                       

Cleared to go!

L.