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Happy Wednesday to all.

Wednesdays have always been my favorite days. One may ask why. It is the middle of the week, I still have work to do tomorrow, and it is far away from the weekend.

If there is one thing I have learned living with the Jackson’s it is that the weekends are crazier than the work weeks. During the weekends we have floods of people coming and going, staying the night, snoring in my room, etc. However, during the week, it is just us…the Jackson Village. During the week I get better sleep, and I get more things accomplished. I have always enjoyed Wednesday’s because it was the day we would go to Helping Hands, the children’s home.

Usually it is a busy morning, and there is much prep that needs to be done before heading over there. Wednesday morning usually are the busy ones with a lot of extra tasks to do. Then we go to Bible Club. We get to share to the children all the lessons that we have been working on. It was really amazing, because we really get to see first-hand what the children like and do not like. We have changed many things in the lessons because of this opportunity. By the time we get home from Bible Club, the day is shifting over to night. We then all have our “Wednesday movie night”. We either watch whatever show we are hooked on, or a movie that we all want to watch. Wednesdays usually is the day when I just see all the things that I am thankful for: community and fellowship.

Sadly, this has all changed.

I miss going to Bible Club on Wednesdays..but without Karen, it is not the same. Karen was a BRILLIANT teacher. She would always have so much energy, and her love for children just poured out of her. I LOVED just sitting and watching her do her thing. God definitely blessed her in the area of children’s ministry. I am so thankful that I was able to watch her teach. I will miss the old Wednesdays.

I really miss Karen. I miss her presence. She was a ray of light that always made the house shine bright. She was always encouraging when LibreOffice (our program that has all of our lessons) was acting up, she would complement our outfits, she would just show us love every day, and I miss it.

I will always feel like something is missing now on Wednesdays.

Did you know that three Wednesdays from now, I will be back in the United States? I cannot believe it. My time here in Cameroon has come to an end. I have forever been changed. Africa has healed me, Africa has pushed me, Africa has beaten me up, Africa has hugged me, Africa has inspired me, and Africa has saved me.

I am overall a stronger person because of this place. I am stronger emotionally, I am stronger spiritually, and I am stronger physically (thanks to Shaun T from Insanity!).

One update I want to inform you all on is the Lessons. I know many of you might be wondering how the progress is overall. Well let me tell you.

A week ago I was standing out on the balcony crying because I was so upset that I did not have Karen here. I need Karen here to help me with the lessons. So many of the holes that are in the lessons required the brilliant teaching mind of Karen; she knew exactly how she wanted to fill the holes. Unfortunately I did not have a long conversation with Karen about what she wanted. So a week ago I was standing out on the balcony crying. I was stressed, I was sad, I was angry, I was everything in between.

This week, is a completely different story.

GOD IS AMAZING.

This week, two women who have worked with Karen in the past have come and offered their services to fill all the missing holes! This week we have filled over 50% of the missing parts. These women are AMAZING AND AN ANSWER TO MY PRAYERS.

Elsie and Annette are their names. And I just want to share with you how amazing they are. We have come together this week and spent hours upon hours writing.

My friends, I am so excited to let you know, that I truly believe that the lessons will be completed by the time I leave.

PRAISE THE LORD.

Karen would be celebrating if she was here.

I know that she is celebrating in heaven right now.

Please be in prayer for these next two weeks, that we would finish filling in the holes. Pray that the new team would work well together, and that the publishing process would continue to be a smooth.

Even though my Wednesdays have changed, I am so thankful that this Wednesday we have made big progress with these lessons. Thank you Lord.

I am so thankful that the Lord provided me with Annette and Elsie. The stress has left me, my sadness is still here, but just knowing that Karen’s lessons will be finished…just makes my heart jump for joy.

I challenge those who are sad today, those who are angry today, or those who just have no hope today, that you would find something to be thankful for.

I know that although we are all in mourning over here, there are still so many things to be thankful for.

Our time here on earth is so limited. I want to spend my life being thankful, and joyful in the Lord. I do not want to spend my time here angry, depressed, or upset because of the circumstances of life.

If we are thankful and relying on the Lord, we can see firsthand what God can do with our lives. Karen lived this way, and God used her in sooo many ways. When we allow and acknowledge God having control over our lives, he uses us for his glory.

When we allow God to take the control that is when the adventure in life begins.

I thank you again for all of the support and for all of the prayers. It has been so tough….but I have been holding onto the Lord, and finding comfort.

I cannot wait to see all of you soon! 19 days until the big move back to the States!!!

Love you all,

Sarah