dream big.

my passport came on Monday, praise the Lord! things are starting to come together. :)

i just took my first malaria pill, and it's starting to sink in that i am GOING TO AFRICA on Saturday!

when i was a kid, i dreamed about going to Africa someday. 

i remember wishing i could be grown up so i could travel the world. 

i remember thinking about what it would be like...and wondering if i'd ever get the chance to go. 

yet here i am. 

19 years old.

traveling the world.

i think the only reason i'm here, doing what i love to do, is because i dared to dream big. 

i talk to so many people who haven't traveled outside of the States, simply because they haven't done it. the only thing stopping them has been themselves. it bothers me because the world holds so many fantastic people and places. it's an adventure that i wouldn't want to miss. i can't imagine NOT traveling. i've dreamed big dreams, then watched God bring them into my life. 

i think i may be the luckiest girl alive. 

i'm living my dreams. 

Africa, here i come! :)

2 days until Uganda!

in the little things.

10 days before i'm scheduled to leave for Uganda, i'm sitting here waiting for my renewed passport to come back. can anyone say "ALL THE STRESS"? i mean, we're talking about the girl who finished college papers two weeks before they were due because she sorta kinda FREAKS OUT about deadlines (um, yes, that would be me). no, my passport isn't here yet and 10 days is cutting it kinda close. have i mentioned that i consider my passport to be nearly as sacred as my Bible? haha, okay i'm totally kidding on that one, but you get what i'm saying...you can't leave America without it! ;)

but let's get serious for a second. throughout this experience, God is teaching me.

He's saying that He is in control of the little things. He works behind the scenes. He wants my complete faith and trust. He's got this.

despite my anxiety and stress and worry, i know without a doubt that God has called me to Africa in August. i know i'm supposed to go. i know He will provide, i WATCHED Him provide. (even with the unexpected passport renewal cost + the bill from my vaccinations, i somehow still have enough money to go to Uganda, and almost enough to pay for my NZ & Australia trip!)

God is SO incredibly faithful to me. even when i stress out about little BIG things (like my passport not being here). He knows how i like to have everything planned at least 2 weeks in advance (okay, so i'm a teeny bit of a control freak). He knows my heart. and He wants my trust.

He has called me to Uganda. He is faithful and will take care of the details that are out of my control. <-- of this i have no doubt.


1 Thessalonians 5:24 says, "the One who called you is faithful and He will do it."

so if you're stressing out about something that's out of your control, i know exactly how you're feeling. but just remember that God works in everything. He's got it under control. :) if He has called you to something, He'll work out the details. don't stress.

10 days until Uganda!

PS. according to the passport people that i called today, i can be expecting my passport by this Saturday or the following Monday...so yeah. praise Him. :)

...and New Zealand & Australia.

Heyhey!

so i wanted to let you all know that i am planning another trip this year.

my best friend from Pennsylvania, Amy, and i are planning a trip to New Zealand and Australia in September (through October) of 2013. technically, this is not a "missions trip", but you're to be a missionary everywhere you go, yeah? :)

we will be working on several dairy farms in NZ, for about 6.5 weeks total, then going to Australia for a week to see the sights and hang with one of my best YWAM friend who lives in Australia.

we leave on Sept 5th and return to America on October 29th. :) 

Mexico trip.

i'm back from Mexico! 

i had a fantastic time. we built a house in 3.5 days. i loved our group. we laughed so much. :) here's a few instagram photos to hold you over until i can get my other photos edited.

Mexicoooooo

heyhey! 

in less than two days i will be on my way to Mexico for about a week! please keep our team in your prayers as we build a house for a Mexican family. i'm hoping to get some good photos also, but we'll see...i'll be pretty busy. but i'll try! :) 

thanks for your prayers and financial support. it means the world. <3 

-Val 

adventure, here i come.

hey everybody!

so just a quick update...

i don't need any money for either missions trip! God has been so faithful in providing. i'm so blown away by the generosity i've seen. 

since it's been 9 months since my last travel adventure, i think it's about time for another adventure. :) 

16 days until Mexico!!!

57 days until Uganda!

75. :)

hey hey, guys!

so i leave for Uganda in 75 days!

and Mexico in 34 days!

i am so so SO excited to travel again.

and thanks to everyone's generosity and God's provision, it looks like i only need $100-$200 more (for both trips combined). praise Jesus! :)