Yangon, Myanmar

As I prepared to leave for my mission trip to Myanmar on May 15th, I had so many mixed emotions in my heart. There were some last minute changes to the trip which effected only me personally, not the team, but the situation was weighing on my heart. I still moved forward though, attempting to keep a positive attitude and in my heart knowing that God still had deep purpose and meaning for me to be exactly where I was at that very moment.

As I was about to board my first flight from Evansville, I got a text from Alex saying, "Here it comes!! :)" And I had no idea what to expect or what this "it" was going to become as I moved forward on this journey!
SEVVVVERAL hours (or days, I can hardly recall) we arrived in Yangon! Quickly dropped out luggage off at the hotel and immediately set off for the orphanage, Love Childrens Home--and were greeted by some of the sweetest faces I may ever meet!

The little girl in the purple shirt whose name is Na Haw Mawi, was in particular one that stole my heart! THe first step I took off of the bus she picked me! And by that I mean, she immediately grabbed my hand, and from that moment on through the rest of my trip, she was there every single morning, waiting for me, to hug me, to hold my hand, to hang out with me, just anything. She is just the sweetest thing ever. The beautiful face in the yellow shirt is named Pine Tha Linn (who by the end of the trip, I affectionately referred to as Pine Pine!) And she is also one who I just fell in love with. These children are so wonderful and full of such amazing LOVE and JOY of the Lord. It was such a beautiful thing to be a part of.

The majority of our days were spent going through a VBS program with the children and then for the larger portion of the afternoon, had the opportunity to just hang out with the kids and play with them, watch volleyball, swing, they braided all our hair (a lot :) and just be together, and show them love one on one, which is a major need for children who have been orphaned and who don't often get that personal attention and affection. I found though that these kids had a deeper capacity to love, nurture and serve than I do! Not that I felt like I had all these amazing "powers" of the fruit of the Spirit in perfect control in my life, but certainly more than a child, right?! WRONG. Haha! I absolutely feel like I was served, loved and touched as deeply, if not more deeply than the kids I went there to serve. It was amazing. Here are a few more little shots from the trip:

This trip was truly a gift to me, in every aspect. I want to thank every person that supported me. Whether it was financial, in prayer in any way at all. I feel so blessed to have had this opportunity and life experience. I ABSOLUTELY want to go back! And soon! And not to sound all "mission trip emotional high" or anything, but.....................

<<<<< THIS FACE is one I FOR REALLLL plan on adopting one day when adoption opens up on their side! :) Haha, she is amazing!

So, again, thank you to everyone who helped me get here---and I cannot wait to go back!