Clarifying

After I published my last post, I talked to some people and realized that I wasn't very clear on the status of my Spain trip.  Let me explain!!  When I go to Spain, I'm going as a worker.  All the spots for missionaries attending the forum are filled, which is why Barb (who would go as a missionary) can't go - and we can't leave from Spain and go straight to Mali.  But I'm definitely still going!!  I'll just come home after 9 days and leave again in January (this time for Mali).  Hope that helps - sorry about the confusion!

Garage Sale and Shelby

The grand total from the garage sale this weekend is.....drumroll please.....$744.07!  Wow!!  Thank you all so much for your help - this far exceeded my expectations.  We made $100 before the sale even started, then made $345 on Thursday alone!  People were beyond generous in their donations, and I was able to share my story with lots of our customers.  Thank you all so much for helping me to accomplish God's will for my life.

We went back to Shelby on Monday to finish packing up from the last workday.  I spoke with Barb, who said that all the spots in Spain are filled.  So January it is!  I was also able to meet Rosanna Hess.  She and Barb will be doing medical research on the January trip, but she'll only stay in Mali for a couple weeks.  Discussing details with Barb is getting me more and more excited (if possible ;) ).  I just can't wait to get there!!

As always, thank you all for your prayers.  Much love!

Interview

On Monday evening I was able to have my CD 100 interview with Dian Harner via Skype.  I'm finally an official member! :)  We had a great conversation - I can't wait to meet her in person.  She gave me more details on the this year's CD 100 retreat, which will be held at Beulah Beach August 2-4.  The director of ENVision, Dan Scarrow, will be speaking.  ENVision is a new approach to missions - the aspect that excites me the most is the relaxed attitude to college.  I'm looking forward to hearing more about it.  The CMA candidate development directors will be speaking as well, covering the traditional methods of entering the missions field.
Mrs. Harner also told me that she's going to get the Spain team members together toward the fall so we can get to know each other and discuss our duties before we go.  I can't wait to meet them!
At one point she asked me what my next step was regarding long-term missions.  I told her that it was to get back.  That's how I see the Mali trip - an exploratory trip (of sorts) that will hopefully lead me to some kind of direction.  Maybe, while I'm there, I'll see a need in the hospital for a nurse.  So maybe I'll come back, become a nurse, and move back to Mali.  Or maybe this will lead to another short trip somewhere else.  Or maybe something entirely different will happen.  I don't know yet, but I'm praying now for a clear sign (and a clear heart) when I get home.  This is my biggest prayer request right now - that, when God's time is right, I would get a sign and have the courage and faith to follow it.
The garage sale is all set up for this weekend.  I'm overwhelmed already by the support you all have given me, and I look forward to seeing what God has in store.  Thanks to you all, and I hope to see you in Lodi!  Happy Independence Day!