Oh Chicago

Just a quick update as I am typing this on my iPod, but I have made it to Chicago! We arrived on Sunday after an emotional weekend of saying goodbye to my twin, Elise, my dearest mother, and the rest of my loving family. I felt so heartbroken when leaving, but I hate o admit it, I think I'm going to survive!

When writing Sunday, we encountered some adventures while trying o locate or Canadian, Paul, but that's a story for another day (or once I get to an actual computer). So about 7 hours after arriving in the Chicago, I made it o JPUSA. (jesus people USA). Here I met he remaining members of our 13 person crew, along with our 14th member, a participant from last years Bolivia team who is returning as a sort of leader. Everyone is super nice, and I feel a great connection to everyone! I'll have to make formal introductions later, but for now just know that I am not lacking for friendship!

Our days have been full, but again I'll have to say more once I have a better keyboard. Ice started journaling every morning since I have extra time from getting up early in order to shower since there's so many people who need to before we begin our days. But I send my greetings aNd love to everyone, and I do miss you all!

Countdown to Blastoff... in 3..2..1

Just a quick shout-out to the big fella upstairs for this AMAZING beautiful storm.  It blows me away how he creates such beautiful, yet dangerous, exciting, and terrifying things called thunderstorms.  As I draw nearer to leaving home, it reminds me of Gods' love, how it to is so immense, intricate, terrifying, and stunningly beautiful all at the same time.  I hope to carry some of this love with me and share it with the people I may come in contact with in Bradford.

So this being my random thought of the moment I leave you to watch more flashing lights(:

Blessings!

Better late than Never

Well here it is... my first blog.  It's about time seeing how I created weeks ago! But as I was searching for pictures for todays fundraiser (ice cream social), I happened upon one of last years participants blogs.  Call it fate, irony, destiny, whatever, it finally got me to begin my own.  While perusing the blog I happened upon, I began to realize just how much this upcoming year will impact me.  Her last blog mentioned all the things they were leaving behind, and almost brought me to tears myself, even though I hadn't experienced any of it yet.  I'm beginning to feel as though this is really going to happen though. I look at her documents and make more prepreations.  I feel as though the children she interacted with are already my friends, having met none of them yet.  I've been excited for months, but after her blog, I feel more excited than ever.  I am so ready! Yet as I think about it I'm nervous.  Not for leaving, or flights, or any of that, but for the relationships I know I will form and eventually break.  I know I will be coming home to my American family, but I may never get to see my British family once I leave them.  This scares me, even though still a year away, more than any of the other upcoming hurdles.  I leave this first blog curious, excited, nervous, and ready to see what God has in store for me! Bring it on!