So I've got my plane ticket ordered, shots complete, passport ordered, and a big portion of my trip cost ready to be mailed in. Wow! I'm going to Africa!!!! I think one of the things I'm most excited for is to have a strong connection with such a strong Christian group! I can't wait to be able to talk to everybody all of the time, and have the biggest thing in common... living our lives for God. I know it'll be sad leaving my friends and family here, but I know in a way to this journey is what is best for me at this time. Not only will I be helping people, but I'm going to really grow in my faith as well.

I was lifeguarding at the pool the other day, and there was a lot of parents there with their children. Watching them, I just felt this feeling of happiness that I haven't felt for a long time. It reminded me of when I was a child and everything seemed perfect and happy. It just gave me a different aspect on life that I had been missing for awhile. To be perfectly content with where I am. I know things in life aren't always going to go my way, and a lot of things will hurt, but that's just part of this world. I think even if we have had tribulation in our lives we just need to press on, keep a smile on our face, and continually trust in God.

I've noticed a lot about myself going through the death of my sister, but one thing I've noticed more than anything is that I can choose how I react to everything. If I want to cry then that's all I do, but there are moments I can decide to be happy, motivated, and make a difference in the world.

 "Make a Difference" It seems like in this world one person cannot make that big of a difference. Billions of people, right? How can one person change the world? I don't think it's by doing one big thing. I think the people who change the world are the people who do thousands of little things. I so often think about the starfish story. Where the man is throwing back starfish on a beach, even though it would be impossible to throw back all of them, but each time he thinks, "It made a difference to that one." That is my mentality going into Africa. I may not be able to change the whole continent of Africa, and save each person. However, I can make a difference in several lives, and that is what truly matters.

KELS