Melody's thoughts

Wow, less then two weeks now! It is crazy how fast time goes, and I am sure I will be saying that a lot this next year. I leave for training soon and then Israel. Last night I met one of my team mates named Adam and he is mad cool and I am excited that he is coming with. I get along really well with him and we agree on a lot of issues together.
Well, as far as I know none of my money came in for the trip but I know God will work it out, and I have a fundraiser dinner this Friday which you should come to! Because it is going to be a blast.
God has really been teaching me some cool things. Just really getting down on my attitude. Like at work I use to get so frustrated and now I am just doing my job and trying not to complain as much. There is a lot of crap that goes on there, but hey I am the one getting promotions and raises because I work. Also I was really scared about leaving and not coming back to any friendships but my YES team are going to be my new friends and I have some true friends. (because we've got something ;) hehe.)
Wow, this post seems really "Christian" and I am a Christian, but my actions fail so much. I'm a sinner like everyone else. A friend that falls short. But I have love and compassion. =) I don't know where I am going with this so I am ending.....

Coming back after three weeks I thought would be such a joy. But how is it we always reflect on the bad?
I come back really sick from Lyme disease and after only a couple hours of sleep I am going into work. I was throwing up (and a Turkey Hill bathroom is not a pleasant place to be when sick.) and since my boss wouldn't let me go home I decided to make the best of it. I started helping costumers happy to see some of the same faces. But those faces heard I was leaving in a month for Israel. I had a couple guys ask when I was going to sleep with them before I leave. Ouch! Guys I barely talk to, just a good morning each day!
As the day went on I found out a friend won't be able to get out of jail this month which we were all praying for, but he'll be locked up another six months which means I can't see him except through glass. It breaks my heart knowing I won't be able to give him a hug goodbye.
Although there is good news! Seeing my brother truly happy is amazing, seeing him laughing with his room mate and calling me saying how awesome class was.
And despite not being able to see a guy I have been witnessing to his dad has finally been talking to me other then warning me to stay away from his son. (long story ask me if you want to know.)
So as I look forward to going into missions and saying my goodbyes. (which means EVERYONE needs to call and set up a coffee night with me.) I also get filled with the nervousness of reading EMM letters that I have four weeks to get $8,200 sent or pledged to them.
But God has indeed been very faithful. Despite everything going on around me I have such a peace from him. I am constantly thanking him. Little things like enjoying myself with Rachel, preparing for Israel, saving for Italy, e-mailing a friend, having my mom, listening to my dad apologize (!!!!!!), crying while God holds me, driving and truly praying, and well just life and knowing it will work out.
There are so many things I wish I could have changed about the last year of my life, but I wouldn't change what happened, just how I handled it all.

And I have so many people to encourage for making each day livable.