Yes, I am having a whopper of a pity party for myself. Its just been a rough week and I just want to just get away from work and not ever go back. I'm overwhelmed and I just want to cry.

Feeling a little angry, frustrated, and impatient.

Feeling very un-attractive, boring, and sad.

Feeling very VERY lonely, confused, and disappointed in God.

Zoo Trip and Other Assorted Topics

So for the heck of it, I went to the zoo on Saturday. Now, I love the zoo....I mean really love the zoo. I have seriously considered volunteering there and I may just once my busy social life dies down a bit next year. Anyway, I went by myself (which is a nice way to see the zoo) and got to meander around, stopping where I wanted to stop, going where I wanted to go, and just enjoyed the amazing creatures God has made. Here are some pictures:

Baby Tiger (born earlier this year)..very fluffy looking, I wanted to cuddle with it.



Birds in Willawong Station....they will fly up and land on you..you can also pay $1 and get a Popsicle stick with a tad of birdseed on the end. I am Dutch, and therefore cheap...I just enjoyed others getting pooped on.



Classic zoo Peacock


Yep, thats a bear.


I love this one..it look like the monkey is giving the finger, lol


My favorite, the elephant


Some exciting news is that I was elected commanding officer of my good guys Star Wars costuming group. This means I have power, unlimited power (insert evil laugh here). It also means I have to coordinate all events, convention appearances, settle disputes, and approve costumes. Just a tad bit more to add to my plate, but it had to be done.

Blessings

I just wanted to share with everyone how things are going in preparation for my trip to Guatemala:

- My passport application has been sent in, so now I just have to wait 6-8 weeks (per the person I gave the application to) for my passport to come. Just enough time for them to make sure I am an acutally legal resident of the US and don't have a criminal background.

- I will be having a meeting with the group on October at which I will find out what vaccinations I need so that I hopefully will not contract some funky disease...not looking forward to those injections. Will be making a trip to Costco before I leave to make sure I have a super sized box of Immodium AD....don't really want to get the Guatemalan equivalent of Montezuma's revenge.

- Last night I got an e-mail from the accounting person with RBB (Reach Beyond Borders) with my total support raised so far. Before I give the amount, I just wanted to share that I haven't been concerned at all about if enough support was going to be raised. Normally I worry (I'm VERY good at that) and it disrupts my life, but I haven't had even a moments concern. I consider that a confirmation that I am supposed to go on this trip and that God will provide. I also consider it a confirmation in that he has provided $1500 of the $1850 I need to go! Yep folks...that leaves $350 I need to raise before Jan 2! As my mom says, "its like a hug from God". I am feeling completely blessed and loved by God, family and friends.

On a non missions trip related note...I woke up last night at 4:30 to what I thought was the static sound from my alarm clock radio, but instead it was a torrential downpour outside. I laid in bed listening to it for a while and then went back to sleep. I LOVE the sounds of a heavy rain...I just wish I had a tin or metal roof, then I would REALLY hear it. I'm also totally in a fall mood. I'm thinking its time to start baking bread and making soups and stews. I want to smell cinnamon pine cones and rotting leaves. It totally makes me want to put up my Christmas decorations and play Christmas music. Yes they would be 3 months early, but oh I long for that time of year (minus the snow...unless its on a weekend). Maybe I'll take a jaunt out to Michaels and see if they have their pine cones in yet. I wonder if there's an easy way to make my own...hmmm...I may look online.

More proof that I am a dork...

Ok, tonight at community group, this guy Brad (who I've known for a while) came up while I was in line getting dinner. He said he needed to talk with me about my trip to Guatemala....and then asked how short I was. Me, being myself and a little on the slow side, thought for a moment and said "5'8". He kind of looked at me weird and then I realized he was talking about money, not my height. We both got a good laugh over it.....I honestly thought he was going to offer me some boots or a coat or something...money was the last thing on my mind.

Real smooth Becki, real smooth!

Wow!

I just wanted to share some amazing news.....during my community group tonight, I asked for prayer for my support to come in for Guatemala. There are three deadlines I need to make and a certain amount by each one. I sent out my support letters yesterday (expect one on the mail :-), and just wanted group prayer for God's provision. Afterwards, this guy came up and asked me how much I needed to raise, and how much I had currently. I told him...and he said "Well, I have $500 I'd like to give you. If by the end you don't have enough let me know, and I'll fill in what is needed"! I was speechless at his generosity, to say the least. I was so flustered, that on my way back from grabbing him my support letter...I ran into a wall mounted TV, lol. A classic Becki move...

I'm still blown away and very grateful. God is amazing!

Guatemala

I am going to Guatemala....on a medical missions trip.....for 10 days......I am so excited!