Travel....

I thought I would tell you all a little about our journey to get here! We started out on Saturday, we left the Bible College we were staying at about 2pm in Hobe Sound Florida and rode on a bus for an hour to get to the Ft Lauderdale aiport. We hung out and waited in the airport for a while then finally got on a plane to Houston. In Houston we arrived about 8 pm at night and waited for quite a while for a shuttle to the hotel, went to the hotel and slept. Then Sunday morning we all got up, showered and packed up yet again, had communion and Bible study together in the hotel and headed out to the Houston airport. We hung out at the airport (this was our theme for the weekend!) and waited for our departure. Finally we got onto our flight to Lima! We left Houston at about 3:45 pm and got to Lima about 10:15 pm (same time zone). In Lima it was too early to check our bags for our 6 am flight to Arequipa so we found a hallway and sat with all our luggage. Some people were able to fall asleep and rest and some of us were not. Trevor, Micha and I played cards for a while. Then while playing cards, the airport staff requested we move everyone and their stuff to the other side of the hall because they needed to clean our side. So we had to wake everyone up and move everything. Finally after that I tried to rest but the tile floor was mucho frio and I probably slept for about 45 minutes. We got up at 4 am to check our bags and head to the gate. I had a few minutes of internet availablity before we got on the plane so I emailed my parents and Brooke since I had tried to call them on Saturday from the hotel and they didn't answer! We got on our plane to Arequipa at 6 am and got to Arequipa at about 7:30 am. Phew, quite the journey to get here! But I'm finally here!
Love you all!

Florida.....

I made it to Florida! It was hard saying goodbye to everyone but I'm learning to take each day one moment at a time. We are having fun in Florida getting to know each other and of course, going to the beach practically every day! I hope the photos to make you jealous!

Everyone is really awesome and I have had a chance to get to know everyone on a somewhat personal level already through hanging out and team building exercises. God is already stretching me and moving me. Thanks so much to everyone for your love, support, encouragement, financial support, prayers and more! This chapter of my journey has finally begun, but know you are a part of my story and a part of my journey. I couldn't do this without the love and support of those I love. I couldn't do this without your financial hep. I couldn't do this without your encouragement on days satan is making me doubt. I couldn't do this without your prayers. I couldn't do this without knowing I have an awesome family of people from church, work, relatives, etc., back home cheering me on to Expand His Kingdom. I thank God for your incredible support! As I take this one day, one moment at a time....I encourage you to do the same. Live in the moment here and now.

You are my God, and I will give you thanks; you are my God, and I will exalt you. Psalm 118:28

This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24

Packing....

All my stuff packed!

Stuff I'm not bringing. ; (

One of the most common questions people ask me when they hear I am going to Peru is, "How do you pack for 27 months?" I couldn't really answer that question until now. If any of you ever decide to move to another country for 27 months here is step by step instructions on How to Pack:

Step 1: Auction off all your purses so you are not tempted to bring them and so you know they are at a good home now.

Step 2: Email the girls already in Peru for advice on packing.

Step 3: Dig through the enourmous pile of clothes you never hang up and decide which clothes to bring.

Step 4: Buy toiletries at WalMart, Big Lots, and the Dollar Store.

Step 5: Get tired of shopping for miscellaneous items.

Step 6: Downsize enourmous amounts of medical supplies by taking everything out of the boxes and cramming everything into ziplock bags.

Step 7: Pray that everything fits.

Step 8: Pack everything.

Step 9: Realize you should have prayed everything comes in under 50 lbs a bag.

Step 10: Unpack everything and eliminate as much as possible.

Step 11: Repack everything minus the eliminated items.

Step 12: Weigh bags again.

Step 13: Repeat Steps 10 - 12 until you are throughly frustrated and have given up on bringing 15+ pounds of stuff.

Step 14: Praise the Lord your material life fits into two checked bags, a carry on suitcase and a backpack!

Dadditta.....

My Daddy, or Daditta as Brooke and I call him, took me on a mini road trip this weekend! Dad and I drove out to Grand Junction on Sunday afternoon and stayed the night at our friends, Vic & Linda's house. Monday morning Dad bought me Starbucks because he lost a bet! After Dad made good on our bet, we went to the National Monument. We did some hiking and walking around in God's amazing creation. I love being in the middle of the beauty He created for us! Daditta and I enjoyed the atmosphere and time together while taking photographs. Above are a few photos from our time in National Monument and I will post more on Facebook.

It was an awesome short trip: being able to see the Pawley's one last time, spending time with my Daddy, going through the mountains, seeing snow, taking pictures, hanging out in the sunshine all day, creating an adventure, and duh....Dad bought Starbucks! But seriously, I am grateful to have such a wonderful Dad and such a wonderful relationship with him. I'm also incredibly grateful to have had the chance to spend so much time with him these past few years. Love you Dadditta!