overload

i'll be honest....
i'm mentally freaking out right now. my brain is on overload, and everything is so jumbled together that i can't think straight. i have the jitters and haven't really eaten or slept well the last 30 hours (nor do i really want to, i'm so antsy). but don't worry! it's because of good things that are going on...they're just very big good things.

met with my pastor yesterday, and a friend and i have been given the privilege and responsibility of Children's Ministry Directors for our church's summer kids program! he's done it before, but we're both starting fresh for this year and are super excited. normally, planning for this summer program begins in january and i guess they typically have a lot of the details already in place by now. but for us, it's late april and nothing's been started yet, so it's up to us. like i said, exciting but a huge responsibility. last night we hashed out some of the bigger points, designed an outline for the curriculum, and were even able to write some general summaries that each week will focus on. i'm in the middle of creating a manual (for organizational purposes, accountability, and for future directors to use if they choose), and as soon as Easter's over, we're going public, so it's gotta happen this week!

received an email today from my contact in china--i'm officially going for 2-3 weeks for the summer to teach English over there, and now that i have some more specifics i can start moving ahead. not just that i can, but i need to....and fast. in 2 short months i'll be boarding a plane for hong kong, and there's a lot to do to make it happen. plane tickets, medical shots, visa, housing, transportation, schedule of events, curriculum planning (waiting to receive the textbooks)...everything!! holy cow! i can't believe this is actually happening....

on top of that, i have to work on lesson plans for work, job applications, furlough plans for a church family, about 10 podcast sessions to finish for counseling, regular Sunday School to plan for the next month, and meeting with lots of people, to name the big ones. :) now don't get the idea that i'm complaining, but i'm really not--i'm actually extremely thankful and blessed, but i also just realize how critical it is to use every moment of each day. and thankfully, i'm not doing all this alone (haha...otherwise i'd fail!)...no, the Lord is right beside me, and i just keep looking up at him and laughing at the ways he works.

okay, that's it for tonight. i could go on about what's racing through my thoughts, but i've spent enough time already. i know that it'll be a busy few months coming up, but i'm so ready to see what lessons and joys the Lord has planned!

H