It's 2:15. Meredith is supposed to be here to get me in an hour. I just finished getting everything ready, so the question of whether or not I should sleep became moot a while back. I know I would have just been awake in bed anyway, so it probably doesn't matter. I never seem to sleep under these circumstances.

There are so many thoughts swirling through my head about what the next week will hold. There are so many unknowns. There are quite a few fears, some larger than others. Mostly, though, there is an indescribable joy over what I'm about to get to do.

Many of you have been walking with me on a journey lately. Lots of us have described a feeling of restlessness, of feeling like God is up to something and not being exactly sure what it is. I know that I have been relentlessly pounded over the past several weeks with the message of the cost of discipleship. Over and over, I hear Jesus telling me that He requires everything from me, not just the parts that are easy or safe to give. I have spent a lot of time reading Katie's blog and sitting in awe over the faith in action of someone virtually half my age. I am so grateful to have the opportunity to put mine in gear.

One thing God is teaching me. He did not call me to be comfortable. He did not bless me with so much in order for me to simply add it to my inventory. Like the parable of the talents, He expects a return on his investment. It's time to get radical, and I can't wait.

I am desperate your prayers for me and the rest of the team over the next week. I fully expect to be overwhelmed with what I see and experience. I fully expect to want to scoop up dozens of orphans and bring them home. (Don't worry - I know better.) I fully expect an onslaught of attack from a ruthless enemy. I fully expect God to require more from me than ever before. Don't stop praying for me when we are safely back in the U.S. I feel that will just be the beginning.

I'll blog when I can, but it may not get fully fleshed out until I'm back. If you don't see anything here, click on the link to Sweet Sleep for updates from the team.

Love to you all,

LA :)