Christmas in Ohio...

I am so blessed.

My dad and baby brother picked me up from the airport last night. One of the first things my dad said to me as we were walking to the car is "you smell like a pickle." I love my family. We are so random :)

Our family has a few traditions; most are normal family-get-together traditions that other families have. But one tradition I LOVE is our Christmas Eves together. My dad gets our his guitar and we all go around the room and pick Christmas songs to sing together. My family has been blessed with musical talents, and it is soooo amazing to just sit in a room with them and all of us combine our harmonies :) *sniff* I will miss that. Which is why I am taking my guitar to Peru!! I am going to start this tradition in Peru as well, so as to bring a little of my home to there! I am horrible at playing guitar... but that won't stop me. Plus, guitar will give me something fun to learn in the off moments of cramming as much Spanish into me as possible. Eight hours a day for three months of Spanish... definitely going to be challenging! But bring it on :) Because I am so ready for this trip and everything it has in store.

Fund raising is coming along-- I was blessed with two more donations yesterday! God is SO faithful!

Well, I am off to more amazing family gatherings as I cram as much Christmas into me as I can to last the next two Christmases. Lots of pictures to be taken, carols to be sung, food to be eaten. Remember the reason we celebrate... Jesus has given us hope :) I am SOO blessed to have hope!

Until next time....

Here I go...

My first official blog.

I have 5 weeks until I leave for Peru, and God and I have already raised $8,500 through donations or pledges!! Things are going amazing so far.

Things in my way... I was just sick for a week, which left me with unpaid time off from work. But, it's okay because God made sure that all my bills were paid!

I am flying home to Ohio for Christmas tomorrow to spend time with my family. Then, on Monday, I am flying to Vegas with three of the most amazing friends in the world. I have known Amy for 20 years, and I have known Gretchen and Trista for 15 years. These three girls are such great friends, and I have been blessed to be able to keep in touch with them even though life took us to different colleges in different states. We are having one last WOOT before I leave for Peru and Amy leaves for Africa with the Peace Corps. It's going to be a blast!

Trying to tie things up before I leave.... I have arranged for someone to buy my car, which is a huge God send. I have to get my shots still, three of them... I hate needles, yet I can get tattoos. Weird lol :)

Anyway, that's all I have for now. Must pack for my flight and make sure all my Christmas presents are ready. God is soooo amazing, and I am so blessed. I can't wait for Peru.... please pray for me!

My first official blog..

Hello!

Thanks so much for reading this. Whoever you are. I don't know if I know you or if we are complete strangers and you just happened to come upon my blog. Regardless, I am glad you are here.

A little about my life right now... since this is why I am writing. To keep you informed.

I am currently sitting on my bed, sick. (Weird way to start this out, huh?) I am trying to fight off the flu before I fly back to Ohio for Christmas. Ohio is my home state, but life has brought me to Tennessee about 6 months ago.

I currently work at a physical therapy clinic... trying to pay off college debt. Aren't we all :)

In February I will be leaving for Peru for the next 27 months... follow with me on this journey God has called me on :)

Thanks for tuning in! More to come!