Alright y'all ... it's finished. The immunizations are completed, passport is awaitin' the moment to be stamped, visa has been retrieved, funds are comin' in at just the right time (thanks to my awesome Lord), and suitcases will be gettin' packed real soon :)
To say that I'm elated ... that's an understatement (and already known). To say that I'm not nervous about take-off ... haha that would be a lie. To say that I'm anxious to see what God does ... wouldn't anyone who's heeding the call of God be anxious??
Through all of this, I have learned some valuable lessons (as is the case with life in general).
1. God doesn't call the equipped, He equips the called
2. When you pray for Him to work, don't doubt!
3. Mission trip prep is a great way for God to teach you patience
4. Find out asap if there is a Yellow Fever Vaccine shortage. If there is, make an appointment in advance
5. Fear cannot exist in your heart when preparing for a mission trip
6. Immunizations are a great way to get over your fear of needles/shots
7. The thought of packing for a three and a half month mission trip does indeed cause you to stress
8. Taking a road trip with your sibling is a great way to rest your mind
9. Don't be afraid to ask others to pray for you.
10. When it seems like the funds have stopped, be still and wait. God knows what you need, when you need it.
11. Crying, wanting to be alone, and being short tempered is apparently natural. However, that doesn't make it right. Cry as often as you can, force yourself to be with your family, and give lots of hugs (I'm preaching to myself on this one y'all. Gotta practice what I preach lol)
12. Don't be afraid to admit to your friends and family what you are most nervous, excited, or anxious about.
When packing commences, I'll take pictures and post them :)
Hey sis!
ReplyDeleteI'm so proud of you for spreading your wings and going! But I have to admit...THIS GIRL HERE IS GONNA MISS YOU SO SO SO SO SO much! Love you munches!!!
Hey girly!
DeleteAwe - I'm so blessed to have you as my sis :') I have to admit .... this gal will miss you so so so so so much more!!!!!
Love you more! <3
Ali
As your mother - I'm just blessed beyond anything to have two girls who love the Lord of this universe enough to serve Him like you do and love each other enough to be BFF's.
ReplyDeleteI'm super proud of you BOTH!!! God is using this mission trip to stretch us ALL beyond our comfort zones!!!!
Luv ewes.
Momma,
DeleteWe are blessed to have a mother like you, who has raised us in the love and fear of the Lord.
So glad to have your daily encouragement in this life changing season!!!!
Love you more!
Ali <3
Ali, your heart is so beautiful. Something that will be added to the list is this: you will feel more blessed than you imagine you are blessing. Both of my mission trips to Guatemala and then Haiti left my heart broken, in love, and feeling overwhelmed with all I learned. I pray your mind is blown with the love you give and receive from the people you minister to. And chew gum during takeoff:) 💗
ReplyDeleteSarah,
DeleteAwe thank you so much - praise the Lord. Your heart is absolutely beautiful too :)
Thank you for adding to the list! What you said truly encouraged me :) I'm so thankful to have met you + I loved reading your post about your mission trips!!!!
Hahahahaha oh yes, gum ... I completely forgot about that lol. Thank you for reminding me :)
Love,
Ali <3
This caught my attention. Why gum during takeoff?
DeleteCharis,
DeleteWhen you chew gum during takeoff it helps your ears not to pop :)
Love,
Alisha
I'm super excited for you, Alisha! I pray every day that the Lord will keep you safe and that you will be able to bring as many people as possible to Christ with the help of the cards that you, my friends, and I have made! Keep trusting the Lord with everything he calls you to do, you'll never regret it.
ReplyDeleteOlivia,
DeleteThank you Olivia :) Your prayers are greatly appreciated - thank you!!!! That is my prayer as well :)
You keep trusting Him with everything as well, cuz you'll never regret it :) ;)
Love,
Alisha
May you have a blessed trip, Alisha! Praying you have a wonderful time & looking forward to updates on how it went!
ReplyDeleteRosi,
DeleteThank you so much :) Your prayers are greatly appreciated!!!! I'll be updating my mission trip blog while I'm gone ;) I'll be posting the website link very soon!
Love,
Alisha
Thank you so so much for this post Alisha. I really love how you said "God doesn't call the equipped, he equips the called." How very true!
ReplyDeleteI love reading this blog and your mission blog and hearing how God is working in your life and preparing you for this trip financially and more important spiritually! It is a huge blessing to me to see you following God half-way across the world! I have been praying for you and will continue to do so as you finish preparing and then head for Africa! May God bless you Ali!
-Grace (Rhey's email-friend)
Grace,
DeleteAwe I'm glad you were encouraged by it - praise the Lord!
I can't take credit for that quote - i got it from my dad :)
I'm glad you are enjoyin' the updates :) Lookin' forward to updatin' with pictures from Africa :D
Thank you for prayers, they are greatly appreciated :)
God bless ya as well :)
Love
Alisha
so excited for you!! go rock Africa for Jesus, gal!!
ReplyDeleteGod Bless!!!!!
Clo, Is. 53:5, #UNASHAMED, heresclo.blogspot.com, YouTube channel-Clo Hale
Clo,
DeleteAwe! I'm excited to share with y'all all about the trip when I get back :)
I'll rock Africa for Jesus, and you rock America for Jesus!!!! ;)
Gonna miss ya gal!!!!
Love,
Ali <3
Hey Ali! I was really encouraged by this post!
DeleteEspecially the part where you say "God doesn't call the equipped. He equips the called."
I love love love that! Because I know I am extremely NOT equipped for the trip ahead of me, this reminder is so timely and so assuring! :)
God bless and love you lots!
Charis
Charis,
DeleteAwe, I'm glad you were encouraged!!!
Yes, I love that quote!! I heard Daddy use it, and fell in love with it. It applies to my trip so well - so I decided to use it :)
While YOU think that you aren't equipped for your trip, God does!!! So glad you get to go on a trip to serve the Lord! Be blessed + enjoy bein' a blessin'!!!
Love,
Alisha