"Taste and See That The Lord Is GOOD."

Friends, this is what was going thru my mind about 8:45 last night... Just over and over again: "look around you, girl, and see just how much God loves you, and REALIZE that He's got everything in His hands!"

My friend Jess and I had plans to spend time together on Friday. She travels for her job, and is leaving on Tuesday again, so I won't see her till I return from PNG. So, we thought we'd take a night to hang out, go do something fun, and celebrate her birthday early (since I'll miss that too). I was running behind because I was still putting together a little gift for her, and I called her and told her. But time flies, and soon, I was about 45 minutes late!

So I get to her house, and she comes out to meet me. She hugs me and says, "Well, Em, I don't know if we're going to be able to go out anymore tonight..." I was like, "Oh man, I'm so sorry for being so late- I ruined the evening, didn't I!" Jess said, "No, it's just all these people kept dropping by over here..." (She opened the door, and lots of people were inside) "They heard you were going on a trip, or something, and they all wanted to stop by to show their support to you before you leave."

Inside the house were about 25-30 of my good friends- people from my homegroup, from Revolution, etc. (my ROOMMATE was even there- and she'd played it off like she was going to see a movie with friends while we were getting ready together. Sneaky girl!! Ti-na-na-naaaaaa!!) - Janice and Jess had orchestrated a little surprise get-together for me- they wanted to be sure I knew how much I was loved, that I'd be missed, and that I was supported.

I can't even tell you adequately how that felt. I felt very weak-kneed, and needed to sit down! After a little bit of greeting everyone, going around and giving hugs, I started looking around the room and noticing little touches: over on a door was a poster Jess had made with pictures from my first trip (same ones on the blog). Above the glass doors was a banner that Janice had made that said "God Bless Your Trip, Emily". And then, in the corner was a basket for trip donations. When I saw that, I couldn't help but cry. It was just too much. The gift was so large- those girls' hearts are so huge- the outpour of love and support was too much for me right then. With tears in my eyes, I looked around the rooms, surveying my friends, and pondering what just happened... And that Little Voice was whispering to me, "Look around you, take it in, and KNOW WITHOUT A DOUBT that I am GOOD."

20 DAYS!! YEEE-Haw!!!

Alrighty. I know that I will be missed so very badly while I'm away, so I thought I'd post some photos for you, my friends and loved ones, to remember me by. May you cherish them forever. (see next post below)

p.s.- $2920 raised, $1080 to go! Thank you God, and thank you my supporters!

Pics to Go Along...

Me at the top of the Arch, conquering my fear of heights. (it didn't really work...) This is the only serious pic here...








My birthday party at work...






With my car, that I will definitely miss- There's no right-sided driving in New Guinea! I wonder if I'll even remember HOW to drive stick when I get back??










Me and my close friend, Jess. (oh wait- this is serious too...)








Pushing "Baby Monica" at Animal Kingdom- posing as a supermom.

30 Days And Counting! (A.K.A. "More Prayer Requests")

I can't believe how time is flying by right now- and being that this is Christmas time, it's just gonna continue to speed on by till *oops!!* All of a sudden, it's January 16th, and I'm heading out the door to PNG!

Thank you my friends, family and supporters, for your prayers, encouragement, and contributions. I couldn't do it without you. The last time I checked my New Tribes account, I believe $2480 of a total of $4000 had been raised. I will admit that I haven't checked in about a week now though. I believe I was checking on fundraising waaaaay too often (like every day) and that's not really showing trust in God. It only made me worry and doubt- so I stopped. And SINCE I stopped, it's almost funny how God has given me little reminders- thru friends, letters, Bible verses, etc.- that I need to trust soley in Him, and have increased faith that HE will carry me.

A little update on one prayer request: Team formation. When New Tribes said the trip was still a go, we had 9 people total. At the extreme last minute, it looks like another guy did join us, so we have a grand total of 10 now. I wanted more... but there's a "reason" that this group is how it is... There's that old trust issue again, huh...

Please pray for these folks- that their fundraising is going well, for their preparations, for their hearts, and for the entire groups' dynamics- none of us knows eachother.

Please pray for the weather in that whole Oceanic region- I have been counting the number of off-shore earthquakes recently, and we're up to 4 now- one of which was in the New Britain area of New Guinea (off-shore island region, not close to the main island). The tsunami alarm has only gone off once, and that was for a "localized" tsunami- that I dont' even think actually happened. I will not be coastal on this trip, but I know people who ARE- in Madang. So please keep this issue in your prayers!

One final prayer request: this is kind of silly, but I really really really want to go back to Madang. I want to see where I was before, with different eyes/ perspective, and I want to see Kyle and Jenn Pederson. I want to wade into the ocean, like before, and see that place that feels like a dream now... Mary, the girl I stayed with is actually in the states now on Furlough, and Joe, a guy who worked there, is over here now too. But I still want to return there. I wish I had Wayne and Jason and Kyle M. and Lynda there too though...

Fundraising Update #2

I thank God for you, my supporters and friends, for your continued prayer, financial and even at times emotional support as I am still preparing for my trip to New Guinea. I am on the countdown now- I leave six weeks from tomorrow! My support raised is currently at $2380 of $4000 total. Only $1620 to go! God has continued to surprise me with how well and how completely He provides for His little girl.