Reflections and Advice

I've learned a very important lesson today.

Drinking a grande cup of Pike's Place with cream and sugar at 6:00 pm...

1. makes it difficult to sleep

2. makes you so hungry by 9:45 pm, that Taco Bell sounds amazing

3. gives you the energy and inspiration to blog very late at night

Tonight was the fifth of our training sessions for our trip to India. I look back to the first one and recall that I was quite a mess! As a "leader in training," I am sure I will not only have to complete the weekend training seminar available in the spring, but will have to be a "leader in training" several other trips before I am confident in what I am doing! Then again, I realize that I do not want to be so confident that I am not aware of the teachable moments right in front of me. I am actually amazed at the growth I've experienced. (I'm not bragging here, just stating facts). Before the first training session, all day I was sure I was going to throw up. Tonight, I was easily half way into the session before that dry mouth/nausea arrived. What progress!

Seriously, this has been a great experience and we aren't even there yet. I am one part of an amazing group of women. We are all very different, which makes it even more exciting. I have learned so much from them and look forward to showing them what I've seen and seeing things through their eyes as well.

September 21 is just around the corner! My visa is in my passport, I confirmed that all my vaccinations are up to date, my malarone (medication for malaria) is ready to be picked up from the pharmacy, and I am determined that by Sunday, I will have finished a book that was supposed to have been completed about a month ago!

I am so thankful to those who are keeping me (and the team) in their thoughts and prayers. It really does make a huge difference in my attitude. I feel as if I am taking each of you with me. The support and encouragement are vital and appreciated.

So, I leave you with a few words of advice.

Don't drink a grande cup of Pikes Place with cream and sugar at 6:00 pm unless...

1. you don't want to sleep right away

2. you have a Taco Bell nearby

3. you want to remind people how much you appreciate them