"Mom, I think we're heading to Hong Kong!"

Calling my parents was going to take a little more courage, I thought. Even dialing mom's number I found myself a little anxious...I mean, it isn't every day a daughter calls her parents to let them know she's moving half-way across the planet to China. (note to self: be anxious for NOTHING - but in everything by prayer & supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Phil 4:6-7).
I remembered God waking me several nights (always around 3:30am) to pray - one of those specifically for my family receiving the news. I was comforted that He did (wake me) and I did (obediently prayed).

So my mother, Nancy, answers the phone and I proceed to tell her we have a big decision to make - a possible opportunity for ministry pretty far away. She immediately thinks/says 'is it Africa?' - to which I replied, 'No mom..it's a little bit farther.' Mom said, 'where?' - rather than play a guessing game, I just said, 'Hong Kong.'
...a long pause, then I heard her say...'Oh, that's a long way - halfway around the world...but if God is calling you to go there - you better listen.' (note to self: make sure you have called the right phone number before giving such important information. I thought I'd called somebody else's mom - never expected mine to respond in such an accepting way.)
We talked longer about the opportunity and how God surprises us in (sometimes) crazy ways if we're just open to being obedient.
She asked if I'd told dad...that call was coming next.

I dialed my dad - and felt like a little girl all over again. Getting ready to tell my daddy about an opportunity that would take his youngest daughter on the other side of the globe...well, I sure swallowed hard waiting for him to answer (along with saying a short prayer).