This Girl's Heartbeat

We just got back from a trip to the market and to a coffee shop which was such a wonderful little place. On the way there, we saw a little child about Caleb's age sitting on the side of the road. People were passing him and not looking at him- as though he didn't exist. Shay, who had passed earlier this morning to go to the bank, said he was there earlier. On the way back from the market he was still there. Forgotten, alone, probably hungry and scared. And God shook me to my core. I could barely make it back to my room Before crying and falling on my knees. He shook me and reminded me of my purpose. To not forget: to pray for these children who don't have a mother to pray for them. HE has not forgotten this child. This ride was not just to go to the market; it was to show us the faces of a people who need him, who are going about there day with no idea of what it's like to know him, a people who have become so used to seeing children on side of the road that they walk p...

Change of plans So you have to go with the flow when you are on a trip to Africa. Our plane was delayed one hour in Ethiopia and when we finally got on the plan we were exhausted. Thankfully it was not a full flight so I grabbed a middle row and fell asleep. I was woken up to the news that we were not taking off: mechanical problems. So we got off and waited. Most of us tried to sleep and when I finally fell into a deep sleep we were woken up to eat lunch. All together, we left 6 or so hours later. When we finally got in the plane we were so exhausted and I crashed. I had no problem sleeping on this flight. We touched down in Entebbe and it was the best feeling - almost like being home. Everyone met us at the airport and it was so good seeing them. They too had been waiting for us to arrive since 11am-- it was now about 6pm. We hugged and introduced everyone. So many on our trip are newbies. There's only a handful of us who have been before. Still haven't gotten to kno...

Yoshi I'm on the plane right just entering Africa near Benghazi. Glad I'm 37,000 feet in the air lol. It's dark outside and we've been flying for 9 hours and 8 minutes. Yes, when you've been in a Plane for that long even the minutes count. I've already lost track of what day it is. I think it's Friday in Africa, 6pm Thursday in Thibodaux. We arrived in Washingtonian dc somewhere around 9 last night. Our Louisiana group plus Linda ( we consider her a Cajun even if she lives in Indiana) really are a great group. We've had such a blast. We really have a good group with us this year. We met everyone else in DC this morning but really haven't gotten a chance to know them. So I guess y'all are wondering what the deal with Yoshi is. Probably the best story of the trip so far. Our group has 12 people from LA and we each have a backpack, carry on suitcase, and two large suitcases. We had to catch a bus to the hotel. So we walk out to the outside te...

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In four days I will be leaving for my second trip to Uganda.  This year is so different from last year.  I don't understand it but I'm more anxious this year than last year. (A good anxious though.)  Maybe it's because I know what I'm going into and I'm just so ready to get back to it.  I also feel like this is very different…..spiritually.  I know that my experiences will be very different from last year.  I have a few things that I want to take care of for Refuge so I'm going to work while I'm there.  But spiritually, this trip is on a whole other level.  God has been calling me to prayer for the children, Bishop and his family, the orphanage, and the people of Uganda more and more as we approach the day to leave.  I know there is a special calling on this trip---God's going to show up in a mighty way!  I feel like we not only have a physical mission, but that this trip's focus is more on a spiritual mission.  Please pray for us w...

Lord, use me.  A prayer I've prayed a million times.  But lately I've been doing some soul searching, or rather God has been telling me about myself. (Don't you love when he does that.)  I've always wanted to be used by God greatly.  I've said that I've surrendered all, sang the song a million times, and just turn around to pick up all the junk I've laid on the alter for the 15th time that month and try to figure out this "surrendered" life I'm supposed to lead.  I've tried to map out how he can use me, where he can use me, and what he will have me doing.  Well let me just tell you folks, my head has been stuck in the sand for many years.  Now don't get me wrong, I've always wanted what God wanted for me and although I've put up a fight for a few things, I usually give in, hang my head like a little girl, and say "You were right all along and I should have listened the first time."  Why do us girls always try to figu...

So I'm just going to warm you in advance that this post will be mushy and sentimental.  Ok..you've been fully warned. :) This year's trip to Uganda will be much more special in one particular way…i will be sharing it with someone who is so dear to my heart.  We aren't the type of people to sit and talk about how we feel to each other or to tell each other what we mean to each other but I knew that at least one of these blog posts would be dedicated to her.   See, this girl has gotten me through some really hard times in my life.  She is a friend, a family member, and most of all my sister.  Growing up, I had to go through things that thankfully most children that age never have to experience.  I had a very sick little sister who was in and out of the hospital many times during my childhood.  During those hospital stays, I would live with my grandmother.  This girl stuck by me through it all.  I don't know if she really understood what her pre...