Sunday, July 18, 2010

It has to happen sometime




am sitting here in the donut tent at church, waiting. Waiting for when it will feel ok that she is leaving. I know, kids have to grow up sometime, but I am having second thoughts. Don't get me wrong, she is fairly mature, and I think she is as ready as she will ever be. But I am another story.

By the time you read this, my daughter will be on a bus bound for LAX, where she will catch a plane 9,662 miles to Kenya, Africa. Along with 80 other people, teens and adults, she will be a part of a missions team over there for two weeks. She is excited, and a bit nervous. I am less of a basket case than I thought I would be.

Many of my friends think I am crazy to send my daughter to the slums in Africa. Maybe I am. But we raise them the best we can and when they ask to do something of this magnitude, we have to let the fledglings out of the nest, so they can spread their wings.

Honestly,I am thrilled. She has battled anxiety, both social and general, and earlier this year things were a bit rough. Depression and spiritual crisis threatened to derail her life. She pulled through, and with some patience and understanding, we got it sorted.

And six months of preparation have come down to this. My baby, my first born, my 16 year old is going halfway across the globe, and I am not. And that? Is how it should be.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

8 sent chocolate:

ynotkissme said...

What an amazing opportunity for your daughter! Yes, it is scary but that type of learning experience money can't buy. This is something she'll remember the rest of her life. I think it will do wonders for her in giving her more confidence/less anxiety. If she can handle that, she'll know she can handle anything else that comes her way in regular daily life. Be proud you've raised a daughter so willing to give her time, energy and heart to those in need. How inspiring! Thanks for sharing.

Kathe Harrington said...

Whoa, Tina! That's a biggie!! I'm sure she'll have an incredible experience and ..yeah, get some chocolate-pronto.

Martha Hammond-walker said...

best wishes tina to you and yours always. With Love, Martha

Lisa said...

I'm right with you Tina. In September, Dreamer is off to Europe with a sporting team (all in their 20's and 30's except for him at 17).
They told him recently that the legal drinking age in Germany was 16. Oh dear!
I'm sure they'll have fun, and probably miss a few planes and trains due to his inability to get organised quickly.

As for the missions, I've seen huge groups of them arriving in my city, and they always look ridiculously organised (and the adults rather frazzled). Why they send missions to urban Australia I don't know, but the kids seem to be having fun.

Spot said...

I'm there with you Tina, although my baby is only going to National Jamborree with the Boy Scouts. But it will be the longest I've ever been seperated from him. I'm quite sure I'll miss him more than he misses me. But you are correct- that's the way it should be.

♥Spot

Kelley @ magnetoboldtoo said...

Well you know she will be fine and it will be the making of her. Something she will remember for the rest of her life. A wonderful experience.

You will be a basket case for 2 weeks. Embrace it and buy more medicinal chocolate.

MWAH

Stranded said...

Good for her (and you). Good luck and keep us posted!

Optimizer Renaissancefest said...

hello Tina, your all posting is amazing and wonderful..your latest 18th July posting also great...how to manage your website....it very huge blog site..

Related Posts with Thumbnails
 
Clicky Web Analytics