I can’t believe we’re at the goal! A couple of people have pledged to back the project, so that puts us at the target. I am so amazed–especially since it’s only May 16th!

I’ve been coaching club volleyball with Karen Wright (who also helped me with my Kickstarter video). We had a discussion recently about seeing the best or worst in people and I realized something: I see the best in people when I’m coaching them on the volleyball court, but in real life, I tend to see the worst in people. I’m way too cynical and it’s terrible, but I feel like the fact that I see the best in my volleyball players shows that there’s at least hope for me to see people like Christ sees them, full of grace and at their best.

With that said, there have been a couple of really vivid times in my life where I’ve been overwhelmed by the goodness in people. My walk through cancer was one of them, and these past two weeks have been another example. Just when I think this world has major issues and people are hopeless, I’m smacked in the face with their goodness and God’s redeeming factor in them.

I love Taylor Swift, but every time she stands on stage at her concert or an awards show stunned into silence by all of the support, I want to roll my eyes and say, “Okay, we get it, you appreciate your fans. Enough with the show.” Much as I think she’s great, after while I start to feel like her gratitude borders on insincere or an act.

However, I probably won’t see her gratitude as insincere anymore because I’ve been feeling a little bit like her. I can say all throughout my blog that I’m floored by people’s support and I can write in each update on Kickstarter how I’m humbled by all of the backers, but though I say it over and over, I mean it completely. You might read this and think I sound trite and that I can’t really be amazed time and again, but I am. So thank you.

Tonight I’m heading to the airport for a 9 day mission trip along the Amazon River, so I’ll be mostly unable to update or communicate until May 26th. The team would love prayer for safety and effectiveness as we head to different villages along various tributaries of the river. On the long flights, I’ll continue editing my book, and by the end of the month, final editing should be finished and the book should be ready to go to the publisher after June 2nd! I can’t believe this is really happening! A year ago when I was still teaching in Hawaii, this would have seemed impossible. Thank you eternally for partnering with me in this endeavor! You are a blessing to me and will be to many others through your partnership!

Hannah