Taking Leaps of Faith

Missing my Markie!!!

 This year, God gave Mark and I a theme of taking leaps of faith...and they have already begun. 

A week ago I took my first leap by traveling alone with Zoey to Kansas, to visit my mom and sister. This required two flights, with a layover both ways.  I felt confident in doing so, since I have traveled so much in the past.  This, however, was far different than traveling on my own or with Mark. Although Zoey did fabulously on the planes, there were a few challenges:
1.  I stubbornly refused to check any bags on the way there, which resulted in frantic running through the airports, screaming, hungry baby crying in my ergo, and bags fumbling on the ground.  Thank God for kind people out there!
2.  Zoey had a diaper explosion in the airport, and with all my bags, I refused to go to the bathroom and just took care of business on my lap...don't judge!
3.  Once at my mom's house, I experienced cries from Zoey that I had never heard before; uncontrollable screeches, along with a crazy every-hour appetite.  Maybe a growth spurt, or maybe something I ate...who knows.  Most of the time she was great!

All in all, we had a wonderful time: had a photo session with Zoey, introduced her to Aunti K for the first time, was treated to a pedicure (my first one in over 10 years) and a massage for an early Mother's Day gift (thanks mommy, you're the best), and tons more.

So my second leap of faith was to share at my mom's church about what Mark and I will be doing in Tanzania, as well as our story and hearts for the forgotten and marginalized.  The morning service went fine (it was only 5 minutes) and we sold some of the purses made by some of the girls we will be partnering with.  Zoey had aunti and a bottle to take care of her.  The night service, however, was for about 40 minutes of talking. Yeah, 40 minutes is a long time and I felt so inadequate.  That was the first time I have spoken that long at a church.  And meek, insecure little me rose to the occasion and was empowered by God to be His vessel.  Although I felt I did a bad job, people affirmed me that God spoke to them.  So crazy, that God even uses me for His purposes.  It's so much easier to believe that He can use others, even in their weaknesses, but it's a whole other story when it comes to trusting Him in MY weaknesses.

Anyways, all went well and I was extremely empowered in many ways.  I even felt a bit prideful in the airport as I waited for my ride at LAX, until I was put in my place by a woman with twins and a toddler, all by herself!  Serves me right :)

P.S.  All you single moms out there, ROCK!  Nuff said!

P.S.S. I have to survive another week without Mark as he is in Colorado helping his brother move.  Already I have faced the challenge of an extreme migraine, gagging into a bowl as I breastfed and tried to soothe Zoey from an outburst...yikes!  I can't WAIT to see his happy face!!!

Missing my girls!!!