Musings from Graceland

AFRICA....HERE WE COME!

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Tomorrow is the day my "big girls" and I leave for our trip to Swaziland, Southern Africa. Its been a long time coming. I want to thank each of you who have supported us and made this trip possible. God is blessing us greatly and y'all are part of that.

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Many have asked about the chicken pox situation. God has been healing them up and they are ready to travel. We had a sweet time of prayer and encouragement with some of our church leaders on Sunday when they came to pray over us. Its been hard at times and I must admit I've not always trusted as I should. But God is good and faithful even when I'm not.

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We fly out tomorrow and will arrive in Johannesburg many, many hours later. After one night at a guest house, we'll drive on to Swaziland. We'll go thru Mbabane (which is where I used to live) on our way to our destination of Manzini. We will spend the next week visiting "care points", attending a Swazi church service, fellowshipping with missionaries/ministers, and visiting orphanages as well as doing some fun things such as shopping for crafts!

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On Thursday afternoon, January 31, we will leave Swaziland and drive to Nelspruit, South Africa. On Friday morning we will wake up and do a day safari in Kruger National Park as our last full-day fling in Africa. That Saturday we will fly back to The States.

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I'll hopefully be able to post updates on my blog every couple of days or so while gone so check back every other day or so.

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As for prayer requests:

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Pray for daughters A and B to be fully healed from the remnants of the chicken pox. They are doing great...they'd just love to have their complexions restored to the pre-pox state!

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Pray that during these last minute preparations that, as a friend said, we won't be "stressed but will be blessed". I don't want all the crazyness of leaving to rob us of our joy.

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Pray for safety.

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Pray for hubby and the kids back home. Pray that the little ones won't miss Mommy too badly. Also for my mom as she helps take care of the kids next week.

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Pray for sweet fellowship and unity among the members of the missions trip entourage. Pray my enthusiasm and remembrances of Swaziland "back when" won't drive everyone mad! ;D

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Pray that we will be an encouragement and blessing to all we meet.

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Pray that our family will be unified in love as we prepare to leave and as we are apart.

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Pray that the girls and I will be drawn into a deeper relationship with each other.

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Pray for our hearts...that they will be changed and we'll become what God wants us to be.

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Pray most of all that all things will work together for our good and God's glory.

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I must go for now and keep on packing (yes, its almost midnight and I'm STILL not finished).

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With a full heart,

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Elysa

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P.S. Also pray for my 9 year old son. He went to bed not feeling well tonight...saying his stomach hurt.

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