Soon it will be here

Soon. but then i'm just rambling...

I cannot wait. 23 days. Oh my goodness!

My brother and Dad are going in 6 days. They will be hiking into the rural villages to spread the Gospel. i'm so proud of them but I'm going to miss them so much! They will be gone three weeks, but i will leave before they come back, so i won't see them for five! i will miss them, but i've grown into a very independent girl and i know i'll see them again, so i'm not anxious. God is good and will protect us if He wants to and will allow bad things to happen to us if it is His will. i'm mostly okay with that cause i'll always see them in heaven, but my human heart just wants us all to be safe and not attacked by something in the bush of Africa... I love God and i can trust Him. Just sometimes i don't want to. 

So to prepare myself for this much-awaited trip, I have been reading Kisses From Katie. It is a great book showing God's character, strength, goodness, and all of that wonderful jazz that He is. It makes me so happy to hear of all the joy Katie Davis experiences with these children and people through God. He provides everything for her and she relies completely on Him. That is how i want my life to be. Completely dependent on God. Open to anything He wants me to do. Living day by day with God's plan. Not mine. 

Here are some of my favorite lines of the book: 

"I don't always know where this life is going. I can't see the end of the road, but here is the great part: Courage is not about knowing the path. It is about taking the first step. It is about Peter getting out of the boat, stepping out onto the water with complete faith that Jesus will not let him drown."

"The thought of spending eternity, however makes the pain seem trivial and momentary. That thought reminds me quickly that i want to forsake everything to remain in the center of God's will for my life, that i want to give up everything for the sake of the Gospel. I believe with all my heart that nothing is a sacrifice in light of the promise that one day i will get to live with Him forever. I want to obey. I want to give my life away."

I'm not sure if this is the life God has planned for me, but my heart sure has been pulled in that direction. I would completely embrace living in Africa if i had the chance.

I still haven't finished the book even though i got it in february. For me, i tend not to remember things i read quickly. I have to take it a chapter at a time so i have time to ponder about it in between the times i read. Example A: I read Harry Potter in less than 2 weeks. What do i remember? The plot line mostly...

This book (Kisses from Katie) is one of my top favorites. It is so far out there that it just screams "Linley!" For you who don't know me as well,  I do tend to be a hipster who thinks dressing like a hipster is too mainstream. I make my own clothes, dye or cut up the clothes i have, I make jewelry,  I read too much, I am a nerd occasionally. When i feel like studying... but i always get good grades. I love saving money and shopping at thrift stores for funky clothes of ones i can revamp to "look like me." I have always wanted to get out of America. Physically, figuratively- It doesn't really matter. I loved Ukraine two years ago and i'd go back in a heart beat. I hate pop music, or mostly any music that is from 2K-Present. I listen to 80's music and LOVE it.  :) I have been infatuated with Africa since i heard about my brother and dad going on their trip- late summer i think. I was so mad that they didn't think i'd be cut out to go. But thankfully, another trip came and i took it! I've never been afraid of blood or guts and i've been skinning animals since i was a kid. My parents thought medicine would be a good path for me. I agree! science is fun and history (my favorite!!) gets you no where in the job world! This trip will be great for me cause it's a clinic and i have volunteered for wound care with a dear team-mate Cheryl.  

Well, my dear friends, i do believe i have rambled enough about me. If there is one thing i can ask of you, it is prayer. I know that there is nothing we can do apart from God. Please pray that we do God's will and that the Gospel is spread far. Not for health- for God's will. Not for safe travels- but for God's will. I am not averse to staying, but we're gonna pray for God's will, not our own, right folks? ;)

My flesh may have fear, but my heart is not afraid. 

-Linley