In all (F)actuality

So, I wanted to update the ol' blog here and give you all some stats on the situation as a whole. 
Facts:

• While I haven't recieved an official financial update in a couple of weeks, I figure my fund raising to be around $2,150.  Woo! 
• When WMF went to purchase the ticket for me to leave on the 20th of December, there wasn't actually a ticket to Bangkok from Charlotte, NC on that date.  So right now I am leaving on the 31st of December, which is nice since I will get to spend the Christmas holiday with my family and friends.
• This also means that I have a little more time for the fund raising, and as of now I have 30 days to raise atleast $1,850.  So in reality that is 92.5 people to give $20, which seems doable to me (although, I don't know which of you counts as half-a person..I whole love you.)!
• When going to the Word Made Flesh website (http://www.wordmadeflesh.org/support/give/) to donate there (that way you are able to take advantage of tax deductions) on the donation form, it says "Designation  I desire that this gift be used for:" that is where you put "Meredith Layne" (thats me!) or "support of Meredith Layne" or something along those lines.  The other place is if you want the gift given in someones name or memory.  Hope that clears up any confusion.
• I know my birthday and Christmas are fast approaching, and if you are considering getting me anything for either, I ask instead that you would please give towards my goal, that would mean so much to me! 

As for me, right now I am doing well.  I am working a lot, and my last day at the YMCA is coming up on the tenth.  I wanted to go ahead and leave there just so I dont run the risk of getting sick right before leaving, the H1N1 is going around there.  So I will be picking up some more hours at Border's which is nice.  I have been doing a lot of reading in the free time that I have and enjoying that very much.  Right now I am reading Compassion: A Reflection on the Christian Life by Henri J. M. Nouwen, and it is really good, I encourage you all to read it and take it to heart.

I covet your prayers.  I am being reminded that I am going to a dangerous part of the world, and while I am not scared at this point, I am worried about being afraid, that doesn't even really make sense, but I don't want to be afraid, because I wasn't made with a spirit of fear, but one of power and love and smarts.  I know I should be careful, and pay attention and be cautious, but I don't want to be overcome with that or let that be a focus at all.  I want to be focused on God, and that means being compassionate, and loving and broken, not fearful and timid. 

"Compassion asks us to go where it hurts, to enter the places of pain, to share in the brokenness, fear, confusion and anguish.  Compassion challenges us to cry out with those in misery, to mourn with those who are lonely, to weep with those in tears.  Compassion requires us to be weak with the weak, vulnerable with the vulnerable, and powerless with the powerless.  Compassion means full immersion in the condition  of being human." -Henri Nouwen