2/3 The way to AWESOME!

Today was a GREAT day despite our job incomplete. We woke up and headed to the Forsyths a little latter in the morning in hopes to sleep an extra hour to get rid of our jet lag (which i might say we all handles VERY well!) We needed to wait to hear when the trucks were getting in, so we did things in the mean time. We had a morning devotion about being peaceful, learned about prayer walking, some when to the catholic church to clean out the rooms where the boxes are going, while the rest of us headed to market to buy elements of games we are playing during the process of handing out the boxes. Oh and by the way, when we heard about the general time out truck was coming in, we found out we were getting about 7,000 more boxes then we planned. AWESOME.. .so Travis needed to come up with more storage space...

We then came back from market and went to go meet some of tricia's friends, but they weren't home, so we went back, had dinner, and FOUND OUT THE TRUCK WAS HERE! Don't tell my mom but we piled a ton of us in the car and tricia, liz, and i rode on the luggage rack on top :) unloaded about 8,000 boxes and then headed home to wait for the next two trucks...

After a wonderful game a Fishbowl and a triumphant game of Spades (all played to keep us awake and alert for the next trucks), we got word around 1:30a that the trucks were stopping for the night and wouldn't be in until EARLY the next morning. So we just got back to the house.

We have TONS of pictures, but i didn't bring anything to import them, so please be patient with me.

Things to be praying for...

- Because of the extra boxes, it's going to cost more for guards, storage, and workers to unload. Pray that our funds stretched.

- Pray that the schedule changes at the schools work to our advantage.

- Pray for the people of Fatik, HIGH muslim population, but WONDERFUL WONDERFUL people.

Ok my battery is dying and i need to sleep! GOODNIGHT!!!

26 hours later...

Ladies and Gents!

We are in Senegal!

I met up with the rest of the team Thursday morning at O'Hare and took a flight to Dullas at 1:10p. Arrived a little after three with the time change and thought we had a little layover until slightly after 5p. Well, we were all sitting down to a carry over meal until we were served a dinner on the plane. Bill and I split a piece of pizza, then I headed to the Kiosk for a magazine. Mom called and we chatted for a little while and when I got off the phone, i headed to the ladies room... My pants were just unzipped when i heard over the loud speaker, second call for guest flying Flight ### headed to Dakar, Senegal, Crider two, Davis, Dingus, some other names in between, and Smith. Please check in at gate A16. I ran! Zipped up on the way out and frantically called them to run to the gate. As soon as we got there, I asked if they started loading early and they said, Yes! Yes?!!?! So I frantically called nathan, told him i loved him, and we jumped on the plane to Dakar.

It was about a 6 hr flight and we arrived in Dakar at 5:40a on Friday Morning (today). So needless to say, many of us haven't slept for about 24 hours...me 26 because of Sharathon.

We got off the plane, kindly said no to any man that offered to help us to avoid any kind of fee or tip, and waited (since we got in early) for Kim to pick us up. Very shortly after, we went to the missionary house in Dakar, ate breakfast, picked up Kim's daughter, Gloria. Then all 13 of us headed to Fatik. After a crazy bumpy 4 hr ride home, we got to where we were staying and heard that out Operation Christmas Child Boxes aren't coming until tomorrow afternoon. I think that changed so plans but we just go with the flow.

Some of the ladies experienced their 1st squatty potty! Holy Cow. And Donna had quite a time at the bathroom at the airport.

I am actually getting ready to head to the shower. I promise, I'll write more as we do more.

Crunch time!

• 4 days until 91.5 WCIC Sharathon 2010
• 6 days until I leave for Dakar, Senegal. HOLY COW!
• 46 days until the season premier of Glee
• 49 days until 91.5 WCIC's Opening Act (I'm the main coordinator)
• 64 days until I turn 24
• 92 days until I'm Mrs. Wineinger.

I have come to understand that i can usually tell the validity of my task when i type into google, "Checklist for (FILL IN TASK HERE)" so I was feeling really good and slightly less overwhelmed when I specifically found a checklist for packing for Senegal. Granted it was another blog, but shoot! I'll take what I can get. I officially leave in less than a week. This time next week I will be in the air to Dakar, Senegal in Northwest Africa (Take note that when I get there it will actually be 5am of Friday)

My laundry is still sitting in a pile in my room. My two suitcases that I'm going to bring are down stairs waiting to be brought up. I have rolls of wrapping paper that I plan on unrolling and folding up to bring. I still need to shop for extra things and finalize all my bills so that everything get paid for while i'm gone.

I feel soo behind. I'm still finishing up Sharathon (our station fundraiser) stuff, making sure my interns, who are very awesome i might add, are fully trained for starting Opening Act without me. God has taught me something truly valuable right now! I cannot do ANYTHING on my own. And right now, I am pretty ok with that. I just got to relay on the one Man who's had my back even before I was born, and not sure why i can't fully do that.

I just listened to a really great sermon by Mark Driscoll about planning... we all know that im the most type A as they come... NOT! so listening to him and how he helped his wife manage over time was really helpful. Only thing is...I need someone to keep me accountable and up to date with my planning... and all i have is...

I say, anyone who wants to all over the state of il from Pearl City to Anna, we meet once a month for an accountability group... ha. It's worth a try.

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE don't get me wrong. There are two highlight this spring and one is Senegal and the other is my wedding. I CAN NOT WAIT FOR THIS TRIP! Once I have the chance to think of packing it will get done very well... but i got to allow for time.