Changes are Coming...

It's almost August, and I'm not quite sure where this summer went! Looking at my calendar I realize that I only have one month left of my summer. This may seem like a solid amount of time for some of you - but for me, who is absolutely dreading school, it's not feeling so comforting. I can feel the changes coming. Not only will I start school again, hopefully in my last year, but my brother will be starting his freshman year at IUSB. This will be a change for all of us in the Mast household, and I feel like my protective big sister trait is coming out as I start to worry about Jason in college! I'm not sure when he grew up, but it happened.

That's only the beginning of the changes. Trina moves in exactly one week. I have tried to put this out of my mind, but the big "sold" sign in front of the Andrews' house that I pass everyday continues to remind me of the truth. It screams at me that sooner or later I will have to face the facts.

"No love, no friendship, can cross the path of our destiny without leaving some mark on it...Forever." -Francis Mocuriac.

Kenya is a mere five months away, and if the speed of this summer is any indication of how fast it will come - I'm ready! I can't wait for this experience, I can't wait to hold those babies that so desperately need love. I need my heart to be prepared for leaving those children, even before meeting them. I know how attached I can get.

I guess what I need to remember most is that I'm not alone through all these changes. And change is good. I welcome the new school year (just wish it was without the school part..), and I welcome whatever God has in store for the next year of my life. I'm happy and I can sense a renewed strength in Him. That is the kind of change that I need to welcome into my life more often than I do...

Send me out...

Update on Kenya:

My Dad and I will travel to Kenya, Africa this coming December! We will leave the day after Christmas and return January 4th. We will be traveling with just six other people from NMC, and our primary job will be working at the Abandoned Baby Center. Which is exactly what I wanted to do. It feels like this trip was made just for us - We were looking at going in March, but I knew that I would have to raise alot of money for that trip, plus miss school. Well when we received the call about this December trip - it will be cheaper because we are cutting out the two day safari and I won't have to miss any school at all! God knew just what I needed. Please be in prayer for my dad and I as we ask God to begin preparing our hearts for this trip. We are both so excited, and it will be a great bonding experience for both of us. I just can't wait to hold those beautiful babies! Thank you in advance for your prayer support. It means alot.

I can't help but sit here and think this morning...what if everything I'm striving towards is wrong? I woke up this morning instantly thinking about my choice in a career. Grief Counseling is my passion. I do know that. However, since I've transferred to IUSB I've somehow lost the fire that I once had for the career. And now, I can't help but wonder - where will God take me? Also, relationally. I'm putting so much energy and time into this certain relationship - will it be worth it in the end? Am I willing to get hurt through this process? Is it worth the heartbreak that I feel is destined to come?

I know God doesn't always give us clear answers, but on days like this - it would be nice to have some.