And on those days when I miss them so much, I like to go back and read a post I wrote on my last day in Chenzhou:
We started to leave and gave everyone hugs once more. Every time I saw Joy, though, I just cried. She has the most beautiful smile, and even when she cried tonight, she smiled and stayed strong. I hugged her one more time and the tears came, and she quickly wiped them from my eyes saying, "Until next time, until next time."
And that's how I'll end the night:
Until next time.
Because in that statement is hope. Hope for me, hope for the kids, and hope for the nannies.
I always read that because it gives me hope of another year. And as Joy said, "Until next time..." I nodded my head yes, as if promising that I will be back another year. I will be back soon.
And today, I am so happy to announce that I will be keeping that promise. I WILL be back NEXT July (2013)!
Just typing that out makes my hear jump with joy. I can't wait to see all my sweet friends in Chenzhou again. This is something that I have prayerfully considered and believe that the Lord wants me back in Chenzhou next year for the fourth year in a row, and I couldn't be happier. :)
We started to leave and gave everyone hugs once more. Every time I saw Joy, though, I just cried. She has the most beautiful smile, and even when she cried tonight, she smiled and stayed strong. I hugged her one more time and the tears came, and she quickly wiped them from my eyes saying, "Until next time, until next time."
And that's how I'll end the night:
Until next time.
Because in that statement is hope. Hope for me, hope for the kids, and hope for the nannies.
I always read that because it gives me hope of another year. And as Joy said, "Until next time..." I nodded my head yes, as if promising that I will be back another year. I will be back soon.
And today, I am so happy to announce that I will be keeping that promise. I WILL be back NEXT July (2013)!
Just typing that out makes my hear jump with joy. I can't wait to see all my sweet friends in Chenzhou again. This is something that I have prayerfully considered and believe that the Lord wants me back in Chenzhou next year for the fourth year in a row, and I couldn't be happier. :)
I'm also excited to announce that I will be traveling with a huge team this year!
Four of them are these girls who I love so much.
That makes for SIX (including our awesome team leader) of us returning! Our team is currently 15 members and counting! Last year we were struggling to get 10... and here we are 7 months away and we already have 15! God is good and I can't wait to see what He is doing in Chenzhou... I know He has big plans there.
Our trip this year is July 1-14... and we are leaving in LESS THAN 200 DAYS!
That being said, please keep all 16 of us in your prayers as we raise money and prepare ourselves for the trip.
Also pray that I don't drive myself crazy in having to wait to long. Haha! For now, I'll slowly watch the days tick away on my phone...
