By the time we get home, we will have driven over 2,000 miles and gone through Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia. David is becoming quite the world traveler at 3 years old! ?? We have traveled through the Smoky Mountains and also through the Appalachian Mountains.

But this trip hasn’t been about the excitement of travel or getting another magnet for the refrigerator. It hasn’t even been about seeing the beauty of the Atlantic Ocean and sinking my toes into the sand and water I have never felt before.

I was dreading this mission trip. I knew it would be hot (I didn’t know how hot!) and I knew it would be stressful with a toddler. Adventures In Missions made an exception for us to bring David (usually kids have to be 6).

A few days before we left, I was looking for missions pins on Pinterest. I found some amazing quotes and verses that the Lord used to really prepare my heart. Instead of dread, I actually began to feel excited. ??

I’ll admit I was miserable, stressed and exhausted trying to care for a toddler, dealing with crazy humidity I have never experienced (95%), and trying to actually serve in some ways myself.

But I have never been so happy in all my life. ??

Doug fully expected me to say that I never want to go on a mission trip again after the stress. ?? I told him I want to go on as many as we can! ??

Being a part of a team of people who love Jesus and having leaders who were so kind and accommodating of a toddler really touched my heart and fueled my growing desire to serve Jesus as a family.

My heart is naturally so selfish. But God has moved my heart deeply over the past week and He is giving me more compassion and a greater love for those in need of His love.

Thank You, Jesus. ?? You are so good.