Preperation

Initially when I first go the phone call that I was accepted in the program to teach in Russia or Central Asia for a year I was ecstatic. I mean my voice got that high pitched shrill sort of girly scream that we are all ashamed to admit has escaped our lips a few times. I was dancing in the shower and humming the rumba but then reality set in and I thought "Oh crap! How am I going to be able to do this?" How am I ever going to be able to raise that sort of money, teach my own class for a whole year, and get a years worth of clothing let alone supplies into two bags?! Most importantly how is a native Nashville girl going to be able to deal with being really really really cold for 9 months? As reality set in I kind of turned to God in my mind and said "What have I gotten myself into?" But then I remembered I did not get myself into this God did. I sort of relaxed a little and went oh yeah this is YOUR problem God. So here I am a little trepidacious but stepping out in faith knowing my toes are going to be cold for 9 months but also knowing it will be worth is. I love the Russian people. I really really do so somehow I will get all the money raised, get all the forms filled out, and get my fanny to the other side of the world in literally just a few months and that somehow is a someone-God. Pray for me please because I am going to need it. I am going to get homesick because I am already missing you and I have not even left your side yet. I am going to go through culture shock and at some point not love the Russian people so much for a little while but think they are stupid because they are not like me. Most of all I am going to be a light and God's love in a very very hard place to people whose hearts are cold to hope and cold to the gospel. Pray that God's light and love shine through me even in the dark times and that He begins to thaw hearts for His glory.