40 Days and 40 Nights

So I counted today and I have been gone for 40 days! So crazy. I remember when I was counting down to leave and getting to the 40 day mark. I thought it was pretty cool. That is about the time when Lynn Sonnenleiter was really encouraging to really rest in the Lord and seek his guidance and protection.
The past 80 days have been a whirlwind of emotions and crazy events. The first 40 days were spent finishing up school, getting my professors to move my exams, studying for exams (kind of), taking exams, running back and forth to Raleigh to see people there, getting placed at North Pitt for YoungLife, getting involved in and finishing out the year at NP, saying "see you later" to tons of people (last of all my family right before boarding my first of many planes). The next 40 days involved flying to DC, flying 16 hours to Ethiopia, spending a night in sketchy sketchy Ethiopia (ah, sketchy!), finally arriving in Zambia after throwing up twice on planes (ew), meeting all the people that live here and the kids, spending 5.5 weeks in school figuring out how to deal with 3 and 4 year olds that know little or no English, getting adjusted to living in a house by myself that seldom has power at night, growing to love reading by candlelight, going shopping in markets and going on all-day grocery shopping excursions, lots of picture taking, lots of tears, lots of smiles and love, new housemates, lots of food, reading lots and lots of books.
The one thing that has been consistent through everything has been the Lord's presence with me. I have been placed in many situations throughout the past few weeks and months that have been new and scary and sad and happy and everything. It has been so comforting to be able to access the internet and talk to people at home, but above all else, it is a huge comfort to know that no matter what the Lord is with me. Although I fail many times to come to him in good times or bad, He is always with me and consumes my every moment. His blessings have been huge during the times of sadness, of happiness, of transition, of longing for something, anything. There is no doubt in my mind that this is where the Lord has me at this time. I am learning so much about myself and about who I am in the Lord and what He may have planned for my life. It is exciting and nerve-wrecking at the same time! Oh man.
Well this is a little bit of what has happened in my life. I am almost at the half-way point in my trip which is scary and exciting. When I get back, I want a Moes burrito and a Cook Out milkshake. I have it all planned. I go to Livingstone and Victoria Falls in two days! Hoorah! There will be many exciting things for us to do and I can not wait. Yay for awesome opportunities that are once in a lifetime.
Thanks for the continued love and support. I miss all of you. Peace and love from Zambia.