Oh, just some pretty cool updates is all.

I just got back from a Uganda trip meeting and I feel more ready than ever! There are a couple changes to our trip that I am very excited to share with you!

1. Not only will we be building a house, as planned, we will also be spending a great deal of time with the Mum's and just loving up on them and encouraging them. Our team leaders asked for people to volunteer to do this and also to help lead it...I hope I get picked! ;-)

Think single Mom to 8 kids!!! Oh, my! They NEED to be pampered and cared for. So much attention go to the kids, cause well, they're kids but he Mum's need it too!

2. We will have to separate afternoons with the kids. First day we are going to do an American Field Day, adapted for Ugandans. Haha. Not sure exactly what that means....but I'm in! And the next day we will go to church with them and then have kind of a carnival day with face painting and balloon figures and stuff. How much fun?!

3. This is still only a possibility, but maybe a strong possibility....praying!!!! The people of Hope Community Church raised enough money last Christmas to build a new church at one of the villages. There is a good chance it will be done and dedicated while we are there!!!!!!! How amazing is that?!?!?! Oh, that God of ours...always in the details. I tell ya!

My heart is bursting with excitement in the fact that we get to meet and serve these people that God has chosen for us to do so. He knew before I was knitted in my mothers womb that I would be there, with these fellow Christ followers serving the beautiful women and children of Watoto.

Right now, believe it or not, I'm speechless.

Bake sale/yard sale

Had a great week with my mom in town! Sure was nice having her here. :-)

We had a yard sale/bake sale with some friends and raised $150!! And making the baked goods with my Mom and brother was a real bonus. We made cupcakes, muffins, chocolate covered pretzels, cookies and cake pops. My cousin donated items that we sold, what a great girl. Thanks Amy!!

After the sale we got to spend some time with friends having a little BBQ celebrating a friends birthday. Lovely weekend.

Only $500 away!! I can't believe how close I am. God is good!

Habits

It's amazing how 'habits' seem to make us who we are. It's also pretty crazy how hard it is to break a bad habit. If our habits are bad, we feel like bad people. But they are just habits. And when we break free from them we can feel new again.

I've been breaking my old habits and I've picked up some pretty cool new, good habits too. And I must say....I'm feeling pretty great about it! All Glory an honor to you, oh Lord!

Did you know God says we can test Him?

Malachi 3:10

10 Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need.

Wow! God says TRUST ME!!! TEST ME!! I've got your back! Ok, maybe He doesn't use those exact words, but it's implied. :-).

In my last post I talked about 'really trusting God' and how after taking a look at myself seeing what I needed to change. One of the things on my LONG list was tithing. I've tithed for awhile giving to charities, sponsoring people (Watoto!!!) and putting into the offering plate when I remembered to get cash. But never my 10%. 10% seemed so Old Testament. 10% seemed undo able. 10% seemed down right crazy!! I'm a single income family for me and my two cats. And if you've never met Lucy, well, my girl likes to eat! 10%, huh?

It's pretty clear that 10% is the benchmark. 10% is stated over and over in the Bible. Ok...10%. I set up automatic giving so I knew there was no going back, and no way I could forget OR not make giving my priority. I want to be "All in!"

Almost the moment I clicked confirm for my auto deduct, people started giving to me! In the first three weeks I raised $85. And now I've raised about $850!! I also got my taxes back and put that towards my trip too. Today as I stand before you (typing on my phone)...I only need $1000 more. Wow!! I have a month to go and I just know God will provide. Why? Because He says I can test Him. And He WILL provide.