Tomorrow marks the beginning of my physical trip to Romania, but really, the journey for me started months ago. Many closed doors, expectant/frustrated/confused/thankful prayers, and periods of waiting, waiting, and more painful waiting have all taught me to lean in closer to the Lord and patiently rely on and trust in His timing. If you were one of the people who has covered me in prayers as I slowly made my way towards Romania and/or were one of those who financially supported me to go on this trip, thank you again. You are an incredible answer to prayer, and I couldn't be more blessed to be surrounded by such an incredible group of friends who are so generous with their gifts and support.

As I prepare to step on the plane to begin the first of many flights towards Romania, the prayer that has been continually on my lips is that the Lord would break my heart for what breaks His, that I would come home absolutely wrecked for these kids and this cause again. I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that the Allyson who is going to be coming home in August is going to be radically different than the Allyson who is typing this blog post right now, and I'm so excited/nervous for the work that my Father is going to do in my heart. I would so love your prayers as I spend the next two months living with and loving on orphans in Romania. Please pray that the Lord would make my heart tender and teachable, and that in the midst of the brokenness surrounded with working with these children, I would hang on to Hope and remember that He is holding these kiddos in His loving arms and that only He can create beauty from ashes. Please also keep my amazing team in your prayers. Pray that we would be united in the Lord's love and be used as a group to love on and serve these kiddos in a way that is infinitely greater than any of our own individual efforts. I haven't met them yet, but I can't wait to get to do life with them in Romania and for all the incredible memories we're going to share.

And this is kind of personal, but something that I'll also be very specifically praying for in Romania and would love for others to join me in prayer for is revelation and direction for my future when I get back from the trip. God has placed this cause so keenly on my heart, and I have no doubt that I am called to devote my life to being a defender of the cause of orphans. While I've had some small glimpses and ideas of what exactly that will look like in my future, I'm really praying that this trip will give me further insight and direction as to how I can best continue to use my life to serve orphans.

Friends, thank you so, so very much for joining me on this adventure. I can't wait to share with you the stories and lessons the Lord is going to teach me these next couple of months.