Wow, I am long overdue for a blog update!! Hopefully I will be able to update this fairly regularly from now on.

I could write many, many paragraphs about everything that has happened in my life since my last post, but I will spare you all those details. I will try to summarize what God has been doing in my life lately, and how I am feeling about my current position: four days from being in Houston!

I was amazed by God's faithfulness in my life this summer. I graduated in May and returned home to Lee's Summit. I lived at home with my parents and planned to work as much as possible to save money before leaving for Houston. Long story short, I started the summer with two part-time jobs that were less than ideal, and I ended the summer with one full-time job that was the best thing I could have asked for this summer. I worked with a group of middle and high school students, several who had various special needs. This was a really fun and rewarding job. I was reminded of how much I love working with people, especially kids (yes, even middle schoolers!). Apart from working, I was able to spend a lot of quality time with my friends and family in Kansas City. I also got to attend an awesome church (Redeemer Fellowship) with some of my Truman friends, and I was greatly challenged and encouraged by that community on a weekly basis. So many blessings!

Just a couple days ago I returned from a visit to Kirksville, where I was able to enjoy quality time with a lot of my college friends before they started classes. This little college town became like home to me over the three years that I lived there, and it was wonderful to return and see so many of my favorite people and places. It was also helpful to be able to let go of some of the attachments I had in that place. A part of my heart will be there forever, especially while my closest friends are still there, but I am now ready to move forward and begin the next chapter of my life in Houston!

That being said...I leave in FOUR days. Four days from this moment I will be on a plane, descending toward Hobby Airport. I can't believe the time is finally here. I get to meet and hang out with some of my mom's cousins and their families for a couple days before meeting up with my teammates on Friday, the 31st. I am so excited! The first week or so that I am there will involve a lot of training and orientation. We will also have limited technology usage during the first month so that we can be fully devoted to our new homes and ministry. Technology can be a huge distraction, and I want to be committed to intentionally growing in my new community. I will be able to use my phone and internet about once a week for the first month. I will post my address at the bottom of this post, and I would love to correspond via letters if that's something you're interested in!

I generally feel very excited and eager to be in Houston and to see what God has in store for this upcoming year. I have little bursts of nervousness from time to time, and I'm sure that will continue all year. However, I have been greatly aware of God's peace over me as I have been praying and preparing to transition from Kansas City to Houston. I am so grateful for the encouragement and support of all of my family and friends. It has made the entire preparation process much smoother.

Please continue praying with me as the days pass by this week. Pray for diligence as I still have a lot of work to do at home before I can leave (cleaning, packing, taking care of random odds and ends). Pray for safety as I fly to Texas and get settled in a new neighborhood. Pray for the new neighbors that I will be meeting, that their hearts will be open to my team's presence and love in the community.

Thanks for reading and for all of your support! Like I said above, I am so grateful for all of you :)

Cara Eads
6820 Winton St. Apt. A
Houston, TX
77021