January Report

I had my first check-in with Nancy (my OM contact) this week and have recieved about 10% of the support I need. What a great start! I have also received replies and notes for prayer support, which I am very thankful for. Some days I think, "Amanda, what are you doing? You are going to another country... for three weeks...by your self." Then other days I am content to trust in the plans God is making for our team in Ireland. So, please keep your prayers coming.

In January, I collected many of the things I will need on the trip. I have purchased an internal frame backpack, for my luggage. This seemed the best option, since rolled suitcases might not be able to go everywhere I need to. I researched and finally bought a pair of good walking shoes. It took some time to decide as my requirement were that they'd be good to my feet and look decent with a skirt. Many sites were having good deals after the holidays, so I got the shoes at a fraction of the price. I also puchased my plane tickets and started a mental list of clothing I will be bringing. I'm hoping to locate an inexpensive raincoat in the next months and a carry-on bag that can also double as a purse.

My prayers in January, countinued to focus on the strengthening of my weaknesses and an ongoing conversation about how I reveal Jesus to the world and ultimatly how I reveal God. Not that I reveal God, but how do I, as Amanda, carry the words of God into the world. It's been a month or growth, as well as a month of setbacks. In my prayers I have identitfied area where I wish to grow in knowledge and courage. I'm excited to see how I can serve God in February.

Finally, Januray has been a month of planning. In a way I feel like that is all I've been doing in Januray. Since, what is happening in Ireland is being planned by OM, my focused planning has been on Scotland. I have researched activites, accomidations, bus schedules, and resturants. And though I have done a months worth of research, I have only narrowed categories down. Toward the end of the month I began to realize just how little I knew about Kilkenny, Ireland and how much I knew about Edinburgh, Scotland. This did not seem right as the the ratio of days did not equal the amount of research I had done on each place. Thus my focus in Feburary will be mainly on Kilkenny, Irleand and those that live there.

Thank you again for countinued prayers and the support you have shown me. One month down five more to go.