Well, this past Sunday was a huge gift from God, in several senses! Pastor Reehl, the leader of the trip, came to speak at the churches that my pastor serves, and it was wonderful! He gave very nice sermons, and did a great job of tying them into my mission trip! Both churches had goodwill offerings for my trip following the services, which was a wonderful thing, and both congregations (Lutheran Church Missouri Synod churches, St. Mark's - Ruskin, Nebraska and Trinity - Friedensau, Nebraska,) have been wonderful and supportive, and I am so grateful for them!!
Later that day, my church hosted a Lutheran Laymen's League gathering, and there was a free-will offering taken there as well, and my mom and I hosted a dinner so that more of the proceeds could go to my trip instead of paying back a caterer. My church (and community of churches!) were both very very supportive that night, and I'm very grateful for the efforts from that night as well!
All things counted up, I'm approximately $800 away from meeting my goal to be able to go on the trip!!! I can't believe it!!!! I thank God and my congregation nearly every day for all of the blessings, and for the opportunity to go on this trip!
Speaking of which, that's coming up here pretty quick! I'm less than two months away from traveling to Russia!!!!! We fly out of Omaha, Nebraska on May 22nd and I'll get into Saint Petersburg sometime after 18 (ish) hours on a plane. I am SOO excited for that! :) Everything said, though, this is going to be a great trip, and I thank you all again for your continued prayers and thoughts as this big event draws closer!!
Blessings on all that you do!
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Friday, March 16, 2012
Meetings and Donations and Journals and Such
Well, as of this past Sunday, the 11th, this trip is seeming more and more plausible! (Good thing, since I have my passport and my trip is about a third of the way paid for!) At any rate, we learned more about the flight, the trip plans, the people we're traveling with, etc. Things are looking great!
On the 25th, we've got another fundraiser planned! It involves Pastor Reehl, the leader, coming to my church and the church that my pastor also serves. He'll be the guest preacher, and then my mom and I will be "catering" a meal for the Lutheran Laymen's League gathering that afternoon. So, here's hoping that this fundraiser goes great! It will be added to the generous gift that was left in our church mailbox.
Something else that's exciting, at least to me, is that I bought a journal for the trip today! I won't be able to take my computer with me, mostly because taking a computer that far across seas just doesn't seem like a great idea, but also because of the charging options in Russia. The voltage over there is 220, and if my charger isn't ready to hold that kind of voltage, then my computer becomes about as useful as firewood. All that being said, the technology will stay at home, and I'll be recording my travels in my new journal so that I can post them to this here blog when I return!
As far as Russia, that's all I have to say. James and I are at my dad's for Spring Break this week, and it's slowly coming to an end. We've had plenty of wonderful adventures, including some exploring of downtown Des Moines, going swimming, taking my cousin's son to the Science Center, some shopping, and we're going to finish off with a bike ride with my dad and stepmom. So it's been a great week!
Constantly planning for this Russia trip, heading out from Omaha on May 22nd! Thanks for keeping me in your thoughts and prayers!
Blessings on all that you do!
On the 25th, we've got another fundraiser planned! It involves Pastor Reehl, the leader, coming to my church and the church that my pastor also serves. He'll be the guest preacher, and then my mom and I will be "catering" a meal for the Lutheran Laymen's League gathering that afternoon. So, here's hoping that this fundraiser goes great! It will be added to the generous gift that was left in our church mailbox.
Something else that's exciting, at least to me, is that I bought a journal for the trip today! I won't be able to take my computer with me, mostly because taking a computer that far across seas just doesn't seem like a great idea, but also because of the charging options in Russia. The voltage over there is 220, and if my charger isn't ready to hold that kind of voltage, then my computer becomes about as useful as firewood. All that being said, the technology will stay at home, and I'll be recording my travels in my new journal so that I can post them to this here blog when I return!
As far as Russia, that's all I have to say. James and I are at my dad's for Spring Break this week, and it's slowly coming to an end. We've had plenty of wonderful adventures, including some exploring of downtown Des Moines, going swimming, taking my cousin's son to the Science Center, some shopping, and we're going to finish off with a bike ride with my dad and stepmom. So it's been a great week!
Constantly planning for this Russia trip, heading out from Omaha on May 22nd! Thanks for keeping me in your thoughts and prayers!
Blessings on all that you do!
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