so I guess I really will spend 6 weeks in Sudan this summer!

Several weeks ago I made a checklist of all the things I would need to do if I was in fact going to go to Africa.  The list looked something like this:

• Talk to missionaries to see if I have been approved to come
• Figure out when school starts so I can set the dates
• Buy a plane ticket
• Research and schedule training I may need
• Renew passport
• Research and schedule vaccinations
• Schedule a physical
• Write and send support letters
• Figure out what I will do when I get there

The list didn’t have all that many bullets, but man was it overwhelming. It was so overwhelming that I had a hard time starting on any of it.  About three weeks ago I took the first step and emailed Steve and Diantha Hodges (the full-time missionaries that I will be staying with) to ask if things were set for me to come.  I didn’t hear back from them for more than a week.  Instead of emailing again (or even checking to make sure that my email had sent correctly), I busied myself with other very important things: watching episode after episode of 24, attempting to repaint my kitchen, and keeping myself up-to-date on facebook. Total avoidance.

But then last week, I “pulled up my bootstraps” (like my mom would say) and emailed them again.  This time the reply came quickly.  He apologized for not getting back to me sooner and explained that they had had a family emergency here in the US.  He assured me that things were moving right along with getting the approval for me to come this summer and then emailed me again the following day to let me know that the paperwork had been signed and sent.  It was set-I am going to Africa.

Since then I have marked several more things off my list: I have set the dates for the trip, purchased my plane ticket, registered for two of the trainings I will need, renewed my passport, and put together a list of the vaccinations I will need.

I am nervous, excited, scared, and stressed all at the same about this trip.  I decided starting this would be a good way to help me share and get support for all these emotions.

I hope that you’ll continue to read my weekly blog as I prepare for this sure-to-be-life-changing experience!

Love,

elizabeth