Hi everyone! Thanks to Rudy for encouraging me to try this, it might work well from South Africa as a way to keep people informed about what I'm doing.

I'm almost packed, trying to make last minute decisions about what to bring to a country that is in the middle of winter. I tried on some clothes to see if they matched, and I got so hot in this LA weather. I cannot imagine needing gloves and winter coat and hat and ear muffs on our safari!

It's been shocking to realize that I'm actually going to Africa for two months. I had an emotional week after just finishing school, trying to get my house together, and thinking about leaving our community and everything God is doing here. I couldn't help but feel like this was too soon, that I wasn't ready to leave and encounter everything that was coming up with traveling, engaging a new culture, forging new relationships, and teaching super singing students. But Jeanette prayed a good prayer for me when she said that even if I don't feel prepared to go, that He has been doing a work of preperation for many years, and He will give me what I need. Doesn't it say in Mark that those he calls he also prepares?

Thanks for everyone who will be praying and supporting me this summer. I feel grateful already for the love of good friends!