Because Tanzania Awaits

I leave tomorrow. I can hardly believe the time has come. My prayer for the past 2 weeks has been that God will give me eyes like His to see this land and His people the way He sees them. I've also been praying for a heart like His so that I can love (those on my tour and those I meet in Tanzania) the way He loves them. I've been listening to a song whose chorus has been my prayer:


Give me your eyes for just one second
Give me your eyes so I can see
Everything that I keep missing
Give me your love for humanity
Give me your arms for the broken hearted
The ones that are far beyond my reach
Give me your heart for the once forgotten
Give me your eyes so I can see

Brandon Heath Lyrics - Give Me Your Eyes

Please continue to join me in praying (praying my luggage isn't over weight too...I have so much I want to bring for them).

I hope to have some stories to share when I return of how God gave me His eyes and heart for Tanzania.

Because in 12 Days I Travel to Tanzania

I have been looking forward to this very trip for years (5 to be exact). When I started working at Compassion I found out about the anniversary trips that employees are blessed with every 5 years of working here. As you may remember I've been here 6 (they didn't have a trip to Tanzania last year). The first trip is supposed to be to a Central American country but I've been sponsoring Agnesi the longest and so I 'bought up'. I've been paying for this trip since last September and I can't believe I leave on the trip in 12 days.

I've been praying for my sponsored children and writing them letters, I've seen pictures and videos of other sponsors who have met their children and I'm so excited I'll have the opportunity to meet one of mine.

It's hitting me this week how close the trip is and I'm going to take the next 12 days to pray ('12 to Tanzania') that God prepares my heart for what I'll see and experience. I'm going to pray that God opens my eyes to see this country and these children the way He sees them. I pray God breaks down barriers that would keep me from experiencing everything he wants to show me. I want this trip to change my life and rock my world (not just for a few days when I return but life-long changes). I want God to use me on this trip to show His love to those I meet. Please join me in these prayers and pray while I'm gone too (Feb. 21- Mar. 4).

Here's Agnesi Yohana Humay when I started sponsoring her 5 years ago.

Here she is today...she just turned15 years old.

And, just because I want you to meet him too...here's Saintillen who I sponsor from Haiti. He will turn 20 this year and shares a birthday with my nephew who will turn 3 this year.

Because I'm Addicted

Recently I have had a very difficult time avoiding chocolate...it's like it has some sort of power over me, and it's not like I eat one peace and go on with my day (meaning I eat several pieces and then my stomach starts screaming at me). I don't know why chocolate has me in its power but I would love to prove (to the chocolate and myself) that I do actually have self-control.

This relationship with chocolate may be a reason I've been 'stuck' at this weight for like a month. I'm working out like a mad woman (most days) and yet my weight just stays the same. I refuse to believe this is where my body must stay and so I need something drastic to kick start the losing again.

So for this week no chocolate and no candy. The one exception will be Valentine's Day on Saturday. I'll allow myself some chocolate on that day, if an occasion presents itself.

I ran on Sunday again...I was so pumped because I thought I did so well on Saturday and then I could only run a little over 1/2 a mile before needing to walk. I still did over 3 miles total but it took me 50 minutes because I walked quite a bit.

Because I want to be able to call myself a runner...someday

I joined the Colorado Running Company's running group this morning. I must say, I was a bit intimadated when I arrived and saw the other runners. They were real runners...spandex, Nikes and all, I felt like an imposter. But I was not about to chicken out...I knew it was a risk, but it was one I needed to take. Thankfully my friend, Katie came with me. I couldn't have done as well without her support. We 'ran' (with some walking too) 3 miles. No, I didn't run the whole thing but I ran more then I walked and I didn't let the 'real' runners intimidate me.

I think I'm on my way to being a runner...5K here I come. The group I ran with was so encouraging too, I don't know what I was afraid of.

Because 'Real Food' means not packaged

I'm on 'Week 3' of the 9 for 2009 program. A quick update: 1. I've lost a little weight but I'm not sure I'll make my 18 pound goal at the rate I'm going. 2. I am going to go run with a local women's running club this Saturday to help me continue to get ready for the 5K. On a related note a wonderful co-worker of mine gave me her heart rate monitor. Last night was my first time using it, but I totally love it. I think the heart rate monitor will revolutionize my workouts (at least that's what I'm hoping for)

Anyway, the book we are supposed to read is good, although I've learned most of this stuff in other books in the past. I'm finding that the best foods for you are those that do not come in a package. One statement in the book just confirmed that for me. The author was talking about nutritionism (a word the author made up I think) and the fact that cucumbers, carrots, apples and broccoli do not come with nutrition labels on them while packaged foods tell you up and down the package that their food actually has the nutrition in it.



Case in point: my cereal box has all sorts of nutrition info on it...my grapefruit does not.