Lift off in 5...4...3...2...1...

In five hours I am flying to California for orientation.... leaving my family is harder than I could have imagine. I will be missing out on a lot of monumental events: my baby brother's graduation, his 18th birthday, my mom's 50th birthday, my dad's 50th birthday... people getting married, people having kids... I won't be there to see it.

But... I serve an amazing God that has chosen me to be part of this journey to Peru! And even though I will be missing these very special occasions with people I love, I will be a witness to many special things to come :) God is going to use me and mold me... completely change me for the better, and guide me as I serve for the next 27 months. I am blessed to be part of this! It is for that reason that I have peace about saying goodbye to my family today... it's not forever, only for a while.

Many of us are flying in today at various times-- please pray for the safety of everyone. Pray that our nerves would be calmed, our tears wiped away and our hearts continue to be filled with the love and obedience that has brought us all to this very day.

Follow along with me (in my blog) as I go through this journey... let's see where God takes us :)

Game plan

Thursday (Jan. 28th):

Last attempt to find decent flip flops.... helping mom cook food.... going away party with family/friends

Friday (Jan. 29th):

Girls night with two of my favorites!!

Saturday (Jan. 30th):

Last full day with family-- eating Coccia House pizza! (an amazing commodity of Wooster, OH that everyone should experience at some point in life)

Sunday (Jan. 31st):

8:30am-- leave for Columbus, OH

12:40pm-- flight leaves for LA

Monday (Feb. 1) -Thursday (Feb. 4th):

Orientation in LA with other 40/40 missionaries and Extreme staff :)

Friday:

FLY TO PERU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I want to thank everyone for your prayers and support! God has continued to be faithful with financial donations, with calming my thoughts and mind, preparing my heart and my family for what is to come... and I am forever grateful. These last few days will be hard but I am excited for the challenges that are to come, as well as the victories :)

My soul delights in Your presence!!

7 days and counting down....

7 days and counting down until I leave for this amazing journey! Winding things down in Tennessee was emotional. Saying goodbye to my amazing brother and sister-in-law was really hard for me... we are really close, and I have loved being around them more and growing with them :) BUT we are going to skype a lot (right guys? lol) so it will be okay.

Back in Ohio, I have been busy busy busy. I had no idea how much paperwork would be involved in leaving the country for this long... but there is a LOT. I have written a will, POA letter, closed bank accounts, transferred funds, packed and re-packed... it's just crazy! lol but SOOO worth it :)

I leave a week from today to fly to California for orientation. This week is going to be full of really good food, seeing friends and family as much as possible, prayer, prayer, prayer and hopefully some sleep :)

I did a run through packing tonight............ yeah. I need to keep working at it! lol :)

Thanks to everyone who is praying for me! God has been amazing, and He is continuing to work even as I type this :) Blessings to you all!

I continue to be amazed every single day at how things are falling into line. This past Sunday I spoke at my church to hopefully raise funds for my Peru journey. I gave my testimony and was able to share what I am going to be doing in Peru. God has brought me through so much, and it was an honor to share just a tiny bit of that with my church family. They were really encouraged and excited about this journey as well, and after their contributions, I am not at $15, 675!!!!!! My goal is at least $18,000, so I am so close!

Eeek, I still have to get my shots! Way to procrastinate, Jaclyn, way to go lol.

I am trying to get a couple things together so that I will have a normal workout routine while I am in Peru. Obviously I won't have a YMCA to attend or anything, but I want to make sure that I am staying active and working out. I really do love it, so I don't want to lose that.

Some of the women that are going to Peru are talking about getting together before we meet in California for orientation. I hope it works out! We have all become facebook friends and have talked a few times to break the ice.

Must go to bed now. I only have 10 days left in Tennessee.... weird. But exciting :) Night everyone.

the countdown begins...

2010

I can't believe it. I literally remember last January, moving back to Wooster and wondering what in the world I was doing with my life. God's plan was still unclear to me, but I was excited to be closer to my family again. 2009 brought back a friendship with a girlfriend of mine that had been lost for a few years. I will always be grateful for that! I moved four times in 2009, had five jobs at various times, did not get any new tattoos, managed to drive the same car (it's still kicking!!) and found myself in the south.

I went to my storage unit the other day and emptied it. I am going through everything and putting it into piles of take with me to Peru, send home with mom and dad, or goodwill. I found out I am allowed to have two suitcases, as well as my carry ons, for Peru, which is amazing because I have like 20 books I want to take!

Still have to get my shots. It's on my to-do list for this week or next. I have two weeks left in Tennessee before going back up to Ohio to say my goodbyes.

30 days and counting down until I fly to California for orientation, then four days later head to Peru! I am full of excitement and anxiousness about everything that is going to happen. I am trying to not think too much about leaving behind my family and friends because it brings me to tears. But I know that God is watching over them and they will be with me in my heart and through the ton of pics I am taking.

Fundraising is moving right along- I am over half way there, but still need to keep pushing forward. I am meeting with my church congregation this coming Sunday. Hopefully the balance needed will be provided for :)

My new year's resolution............. don't spend too much money (which will be easy since I will be in Peru and not making any money to spend lol).