We are Overwhelmed! 10 Days!! :)

Overwhelmed: We use this word all of the time.  “I am overwhelmed” means that I have so much to do and not sure where to start!  I am overwhelmed at school trying to get lesson plans ready for my absence.  I am overwhelmed at home trying to get clothes ready for Africa but keeping up with my regular laundry and household responsibilities.  I am overwhelmed as a mom as I try to make things better for Ally who is missing her best friend.  I am overwhelmed as a team member who wants to make sure that she does her part and is there for the rest of the team.  I am overwhelmed as a daughter because I want to spend as much time with mom as possible before I leave.  I am overwhelmed as a wife because I want to spend as much time with Scott before I leave and yet all of this has to be done.  Overwhelmed, we are all overwhelmed.   The dictionary defines overwhelmed as:   1) to affect someone very strongly 2) to surge over and submerge 3) bury or drown beneath a huge mass.  Yep, that defines overwhelmed for me!  But does it really define overwhelm for me?

Last night while working around the house I found a new way to think of overwhelmed.  I am overwhelmed by God!  I heard the song “Overwhelmed” by Big Daddy Weave and started thinking of how God overwhelms me! 

God has overwhelmed me with wonderful people who have supported this trip from the beginning.  My husband, Scott, could have asked me to not do this but he has quietly sat back and supported me!  He is an amazing man!  My mom, not that she is in favor of me going, has shown compassion and understanding as to why I would want to leave the comforts of my home and travel to Africa.  My superintendent, Mr. Marshall, and my principal, Mr. Goodwin, were very supportive from the start.  They could have easily said that my job was at risk or time off was not possible but they didn’t.    My instructional assistants, Donna, Ruth, Amy, and Paula, will have to carry the load at school for me-how blessed I am to have them in my room caring for my students while I am away.  I was overwhelmed with wonderful financial supporters that sent money or bought jewelry.  I have been overwhelmed with prayer warriors that have covered me in prayer and continue to do so.  I was overwhelmed by Mt. Pulaski Christian Church for welcoming an outsider on this trip-we will forever be family! 

Overwhelmed-I am not drowning in anything right now but God’s grace and mercy! As the song says, “I delight myself in You, captivated by your beauty!”  God has overwhelmed all of us with His unconditional love, His grace and mercy!  It is all there for us to grab on to but we have to do just that-take it! 

My countdown app says 10 days… I am overwhelmed with all I have to do but I am more overwhelmed at what God has planned for our team, for my heart, for my life.  To experience Africa is exciting but to experience Africa by being God’s hand, feet, and eyes-that is overwhelming!  Have you been overwhelmed lately?

Blessings,

 Tori

The link for the song, Overwhelmed by Big Daddy Weave http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F6oxXwRWFTo