Halfway there!!

So it is July 8, and I just received an update from the Society telling me how much I have fundraised ... I am halfway there!! When I received the email, it brought tears to my eyes. I am so grateful for everyone that has supported me so far, whether it be monetarily or emotionally or with prayers and encouragement. I am so blessed to have such great family and friends! Other exciting news - I purchased my (one-way) ticket to the Dominican Republic yesterday (don't worry, I'll come back...eventually!) and I am going to be traveling with Father O'Hare down there, which I am grateful for. I am not a big fan of traveling alone and especially to a country where I've never been and don't yet have a total grasp of the language. I feel now that I am really committed into going and am continually growing more excited as each new milestone is reached. I can tell God's hand is in this endeavor of mine, because I just found out that travel immunizations are covered in my insurance, and when I called the Fredericksburg Health department, they were booked through the end of the month but had a last-minute cancellation for tomorrow morning for me to go get my shots...God is good! (Especially in providing procrastinating people with options to still fulfill their goals). Just a quick update for today, but more coming soon as I continue to prepare for my trip. Thank you all for your support! God bless!!

That whole thing called pride...

My parents have always raised me to work hard. To earn the things that I have gotten over the years, and I greatly appreciate them teaching my work ethic. To have to fundraise money, even though it is not strictly going to me, but rather allowing me to serve a community is something new for me. To be a missionary, according to Wikipedia.org (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Missionary) is to be a member of a religious group sent into an area to carry on ministries of the word and literacy, or ministries of service, such as education, social justice, health care and economic development. The word "mission" originates from 1598 when the Jesuits sent members abroad, derived from from the Latin missionem meaning "act of sending" or "meaning to send." With this in mind, I need to not be prideful in letting people know I am fundraising money so I can go on this mission to be a part of the community of Banica. I ask for grace for this part of mission work because unfortunately life is not free. So, here's my first shot - if you would like to donate to my trip, to allow me to be the hands and feet of Jesus to others, then this is how you can help :) Donors should write their checks to "Society for the Propagation of the Faith" and write "For Volunteer MacKenzie Murphy" on the memo line of the check. Checks are mailed to: Society for the Propagation of the Faith c/o Sue Nadeau 905 Park Ave. Falls Church VA 22046 Donors will receive a formal thank you letter which they can use for tax purposes if they would like. Thanks so much for your prayers and thoughts :)