It took me forever to figure out how this blog works! Anywho, my name is Dana. I realize that our team is leaving this month but it still doesn't feel like it to me. I guess it won't hit me until I leave to board the plane.

As we get closer to leaving, my fears have stayed the same. When most are worried about how we will be perceive by the Filipino people or getting sick, I worry about the irrational things, such as there being a tsunami or the plane crashing. Hopefully, none of these will happen and even though I have worries, I know God is in control and therefore, I am not scared.

This summer, I have had the opprotunity to relax and see how truly blessed I am. I know after embarking on this trip, I will see even more how blessed I am, how blessed our country is. With all the problems we see around us: crime, the economy, our government, we still really are lucky to be somewhere that we have freedom and are able to make something of ourselves.

Dana Adams

Shots

Just got my shots. 4 of them. I don't like the idea of needles but I am not terrified of them. Anyways it just got me even more excited to go on this trip. I was thinking yesterday about how I still have about 30 days til' we leave but yet I soon became so apprehensive. What if I'm not ready? What if I don't pack properly? What if I forget to email some important things to the Bells before we go?

So many crazy things that entail being a leader and yet I just need to calm myself and be reminded that God will provide. He already has done some pretty amazing things with our team and our needs. When money was tight God lowered our budget. (seriously, he did.) Our team is definitely not perfect and I foresee many good things and bad things but I know that they are all here for a reason.

Anyhow I am just more excited to go now because I have my shots, I have my money, I have my ticket so let's go!

hello

hello, im cynthia poole. and i wrote this blog before training week. i ave decided to post it so that you all can see how much ive grown even since before training week. here we go.
"So, i think this is a long time in the making for a blog of sorts. I am going to have a different view than some because this is my first missions trip EVER. I have barely even been out of Northern California, so i am in for an experience.
Some things to know about me. I've lead a pretty simple life I've Basically lived in the same house forever, and I also don't get excited for things until they are just about to happen. So, forgive me if i don't seem really excited adding lots of !! or anything. (i also don't have great typing and grammar so forgive that too but I'm out of school :D )
I really do have a kind of calm excitement though. I screamed very girly when i found out i was accepted. Haha. i just wanted to leap in the air. I was so excited for my team members and the awesome dynamic we already had from the beginning, i took it as a good sign. I had know Nolan and Dana as acquaintances, Matt was a friend, but Katie and Jared I didn't really know at all. They are now some of my closest friends. Its fun to laugh and pray together, I've never really had that kind of friendship that has centered around a goal, and its been great. I know that those bonds will grow more over training week and I'm truly excited for that.
The real reason for the trip is Jesus, so i should probably mention something about that ;) My reason for this trip (take this as you will) ... Ive never had that "completely depend on God" circumstance. You know, when you have no control over the circumstances. I mean, i will have some control, but i hope you understand what i am trying to say.I mean, I just KNOW that there are going to just be times over there when i am exhausted beyond belief in every area and i'm just going to HAVE TO depend on God for strength. When i am soo drained spiritually, but there are still broken souls crying out for God around me. I want to have that experience. I know it sweird, but i want the experience when i am so drained, exhausted, and just not a fan of anyone, then God brings a stranger to me, and i am a vessel used to transform their life. hmm. yeah... That is my heart for this trip. To reach the point where i am so tired that i can point to my each and every action and say "that was all God, not me. I couldnt have done that".
so yeah. just some notes from a newbie to missions trips. Some prayer requests:
1. Finances: we still have soem money to get collect whether that be towards the actual trip or towardsw shots etc for the trip.
2. Health: Its so easy to slack on eating right or excercising during summer, but because of the amount of physical activity required for our trip this would not be good, so just Prayer and nagging. I know for me, if some of you could randomly post stuff on my wall telling me to eat my vegggies it would be, again, appreciated. (Nagging can be good :P )
3. Spiritual Life : Simpson has an atmosphere of Christ. Its easy to encounter God there and to surround oneself with Godly friends, but at home its not always so easy. Some of us aren't going back to the best atmosphere's spiritually (whether that be with family or church) and we could really use your prayer in that area too. For us to cling to God and use or time to continually interact with Him on an intimate level. To not get so caught up with the missions trip details that we forget that he is the reason for the trip

Thank you all. i'll write later about post-training and pre-trip.

Wait, wait, and wait some more.

Well I’m not exactly sure when there was a brawl at Training week and where I was when it happened, but I was definitely the sunburned one. (See Nolan’s last post) During Training Week, I really got to know and trust the team. I don’t know about the rest of Team Philippines, but I’ve been having a really hard time accepting the fact that we are all apart in different places for 2 months, instead of being together in Manila doing God’s work. I’ve been getting very impatient. I just want to go. But every day I wait, I become more excited. My anticipation is growing. My willingness to serve the Filipino people is huge. Another month of waiting may very well kill me. But on the other hand…my excitement MAY just build up so much that I explode God’s love when we get there. As a matter of fact, that’s exactly what I’ll pray for.

Oh yeah...and I've come to the realization that I'm probably going to be the the "mom" of the team. It's just in my character. I have accepted it...and the sooner everybody else accepts it (and eats all of their veggies)...the better. HA!

Pagmamahal (love),

Katie