7 Anxiously blessed. :) (11012009)

To all of you who have said over and over how much you want me to post and to those I have told that I don't like blogging, fear not: I haven't left the States and I am already posting. I will be emailing the blog site all of my posts and whenever my computer has internet access, it will send the posts. So, some posts will post immediately, but some will take a bit longer and might come in sets of multiple posts, back to back. I am sorry I haven't posted recently, but there hasn't been too much to say. Now, however... the trip has begun!!!

This morning, I went to church and got to say goodbye to many of you. Thank you for sending me out with peace, prayers and a lot of hugs. I think I would already have done this all over again if not just for my experience at church this morning. It is humbling and makes one speechless to be surrounded by so much LOVE. I cannot tell you how much I appreciate all of your support and smiles through tears this morning. Thank you.

Right now, I am sitting in the Cincy airport. It is 1:07 PM and my flight doesn't leave for another hour and a half. I was supposed to be here two hours before takeoff since it is an international flight, but the whole process (check-in, security, walking to the gate) took all of 14 minutes or so. Saying goodbye to my dad took a bit longer, as I'm sure you imagine. Once again, I am so thankful for a dad who has taken what so many people would claim complete possession of--a daughter--and freely given his only to the Lord. His words to me as I was apologizing for leaving him: "Don't be sorry... you have to. You have to go." I suppose he knows me pretty well. I don't really know any point in my life where I have been able to stand still... or more importantly, any point where he has let me stand still... in so many ways, physically, but also in who I am. Growth is the only option around the Cochran household :). Oh... and don't worry... he took our picture before I left and then took another one while I talked to the first security guard... on his cell phone, of course. He is cooler than me :).

For the trip, I feel prepared in all ways I know how to be... but at the same time, completely unprepared.

On paper, I am prepared. I've got my itineraries, duplicated and even triplicated (?) traveling documents, airport terminal maps (it's true), all paper-clipped in chronological order of expected use, with binder clips by country and in manilla folders. I've got clothing for different places and climates in Africa AND clothing for informal, formal and casual nights on a 12-day cruise. (My roommates and I were discussing how this is probably the only trip to Africa that I will bring two pair of heels.) I've got my favorite granola bar, one for each day in Africa, in my checked bag and a stash of Amish friendship bread my roommate's mom made for me stuffed in my carry-on backpack. I had pizza last night to hold me over for a month and my last American delicacy with my dad: a junior vanilla Frosty. I should be good for a bit. :) Really, I've got everything I need for a 5-week, 5-country trip (not including the States)... all in a very impressive packing system. Yes, it's a system.

However... I am not quite prepared for what I will see or do or what my heart will experience. For that, I don't think there is much preparation... at least not that I see I can do. I'm pretty confident, though, that God has taken care of some of the preparation for that, whether I know it or not.

May this journey be one that completely brings all glory to our Lord.

And lastly for now... words to a song we sang this morning in church:

"Today is the day you have made. I will rejoice and be glad in it. And I won't worry about tomorrow. I'm giving you my fears and sorrows. Where you lead me, I will follow. I'm trusting in what you say. Today is the day!"

True that.

Goodbye, sweet friends. And... here I come, great big world!

Love you all.

Laura