Let me share with you some of the good news and exciting things that have happened lately in my journey to get to My Country in West Africa, to be a Bible translator.
1. I purchased a plane ticket! I am planning on leaving for My Country, West Africa, on January 21, or 75 days from now.
2. I am fully funded! People have given and promised to give enough to meet both my ongoing financial needs and set-up costs. That is totally a God-thing, and it’s especially noticable as such in today’s economy.
3. I applied for a visa. You can pray that it will go through and that I’ll be approved to live in My Country for the next 5 years (that’s as long as you can get a visa for at one time).
4. I bought a computer! Since a lot of what I’ll be doing is helped by having a computer, I’m getting a new one that should serve me well for quite a while. That also means that I should be able to have access to the internet and e-mail while I’m gone, too. 🙂
5. I ordered a new harp (Thank you, Grandma!). For all of you who have been wondering what I was going to do about a harp, here’s your answer. 
My grandma bought me a new little harp that is able to be disassembled so that it will be easier to take with me. I won’t be able to play all my music on it since it’s not a pedal harp and doesn’t have as many strings, but it’s so much better than nothing and will be well-loved!!
6. I have a host church in My Country who is getting ready for my arrival. The church and, in particular, a host family from that church, will help me adjust to life there. I may be able to start e-mailing the pastor in the next week or so!
7. I bought a ticket to go to Dallas the first week of December. I know, Dallas sounds like a great place to go in December. But I’m not only hoping to enjoy good weather; the trip will also help me get ready for my time in West Africa. I was asked to go to the library of the Graduate Institute of Applied Linguistics to learn more about African languages. How fun! (And, as an added bonus, I have friends who live near there that I’ll get to see.) 🙂
Yes, it’s been a rather crazy few days here. And that not even considering the Missions Celebration at Oakwood Church a few weeks ago, the little vacation my parents and I took after that, or the fact that our kitchen is currently being remodeled. Life is crazy, but in it all God is good.