Four days away and there are constantly thoughts filtering through my head of things I need to do to prepare for this mission. I am sure that many of the team members going with me are feeling the same way. Questions, questions, questions at this point; and, yes even sometimes questioning myself, as Ken pointed out in our email that it is perfectly normal to have a few doubts. Things such as: "Why did I sign up for this? How will this experience affect me? What about the things I will be missing out on back home?" swing in and out of view, but I keep reminding myself of the overriding feeling of excitement and anticipation that I have instead. In reality, I know why I signed up, I know how this could have a positive effect, and I know that everything I leave at home will be here when I return. A favorite verse comes to mind and I read it every morning before I leave my house in order to remind myself that this promise from God doesn't just apply to one event in life, but to all the situations where we find ourselves just needing to remember to trust. Jeremiah 29:11 says, "For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." There is that word HOPE making another appearance to remind me that it is what gives every moment, every milestone, every mission...a purpose. And so we trust in that promise which gives us hope- not just for a week, but for a lifetime.