christmas to kananga

tuesday, december 4th, i will be leaving to have once again for another adventure in the philippines.

my heart is overflowing with joy, because i feel like i'm going home.

mississippi will always be home to me.

it's where i grew up.

where family and friends are.

but my puzzle will never be complete, because no matter what side of the globe i'm on.

i'm missing someone.

isn't that going to be one of the most glorious things about heaven.

i get all giddy just thinking about it.

an eternity with all the ones we love.

i don't know about you, but i'm ready!

whenever i was at uncle dick's home, this old hymn quickly became one of my favorite songs.

in church back in mississippi, it's words never hit home like they did when i was so far away.

stripped of all i had ever known.

but surrounded by an abundance of love.

i think we all know i didn't want to leave udh.

which is one of the reasons this song kept playing in my head.

when we all get to heaven..

what a glorious day...

Sing the wondrous love of Jesus;
sing his mercy and his grace.
In the mansions bright and blessed
he'll prepare for us a place.

When we all get to heaven,
what a day of rejoicing that will be!
When we all see Jesus,
we'll sing and shout the victory!
While we walk the pilgrim pathway,
clouds will overspread the sky;
but when traveling days are over,
not a shadow, not a sigh.

Let us then be true and faithful,
trusting, serving every day;
just one glimpse of him in glory
will the toils of life repay.

Onward to the prize before us!
Soon his beauty we'll behold;
soon the pearly gates will open;
we shall tread the streets of gold.

i know i haven't done a super awesome job of updating everyone on everything going on at Rosemary's Home of Hope. i have every intention of being better, i  promise.

for the mean time, the most important thing that you could possibly know is that we need your prayers.

big time.

we are a team of five americans.

with 26 bags.

TWENTY SIX!

here's the process of packing up 26 bags/boxes.
looks crazy, huh?

i'm not exactly sure how we are going to handle that many once we arrive in Manila.

i'll have to let y'all know the outcome of that. ha.

our mission this trip: LOVE.

don't get me wrong. that's always our mission..to love.

but, typically we have more tasks at hand like tons of evangelism, vbs, etc.

this trip, we are going to be delivering christmas presents to our eleven orphans.

as well as delivering christmas shoe boxes to as many children in the village as possible.

i have never been this time of year, so i am very excited.

typically, i go in the spring of summer, so this is definitely different for me.

i can't wait to share a little bit of Jesus' birthday with them :)

please for us.

safety.

God's will.

laughter.

task to be completed.

and for heavens sake...

the 26 bags :)

love you all.