I posted a photo of the kids so I can see it when I'm in Moshi. Jill and I meet at the airport in two hours - January 11th has finally arrived. I am feeling anxious. An hour of breathing, yoga and prayer this morning has helped as well as thinking of and reading everyone's blessings and wishes for a safe, healthy journey. My sister sent a quote to me that is particularly inspiring and applicable at this time:
Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bow lines. Sail away from the safe harbour. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover. (Mark Twain)
Yesterday I began to give up control of my household. It was no easy task with the children continually asking me to take them places and do things for them. After driving Daniel to paintball I began to respond with "I'm going to Africa tomorrow and I need to pack" repeatedly. I actually needed to unpack. My bag was 10 lbs. over the limit. I have medical supplies that I purchased and some from Jill. I have things in my bag for Sandy that she needs for the climb and could not find in Kingston. I have bundles of sharpened pencils and paper to take to the Amani Center (an orphanage near the Pamoja Tunaweza Women's Center in Moshi where we will be working). Hannah's 4th grade class make some lovely simple posters with a photo of each of them and descriptions about themselves and what they like to do. They are beautiful and packed and ready to go to the Amani Center to share. Of course all of my gear for climbing including a tent are packed and sitting by the back door.
The torch of motherhood/household has been passed to 3 part-time college sitters and one overnight sitter who is like an aunt to my children and a sister to me. The details of the children's lives are posted on the refrigerator. Each time I thought I had everything taken care of another baseball tournament or basketball game was added to the schedule which I took as a sign to let go. I told the kids and their sitters that if all they do is watch T.V. for the next three weeks and they are happy that's all that counts. What big grins the kids had on their faces! What freedom I felt!
Thank you all again for your blessings . . . right back at you!
