Florida Vacation

Just got back from a fabulous week of family vacation at Fernandina Beach, Florida. It was my first time ever in Florida and I definitely don't know how I survived 22 years without ever going there. It was absolutely wonderful and I will definitely be returning as soon as possible! Highlights:

• Got to spend LOTS of family time. This has become increasingly more important to me as I now live far from them and, come January, there will be an ocean separating us.


• Layed on the beach for hours every day. Boogie-boarded, swam, played volleyball and bocce ball, and walked along the beach searching for crabs at night.


• We saw dolphins every day, including one day where they jumped up out of the water almost 20 times. It was truly incredible.


• Went sailing-another first for me. Super relaxing. Except for when a disoriented bat flew out of one of the sails and started flying around the boat. That was a little more stressful...but memorable!


• We visited the historic town of St. Mary's and spent the day walking around, eating seafood, and touring a historic home.


• Celebrated my 22nd birthday!

Here are some pictures of the week:

This is what I woke up and saw every morning - fabulous!

Me and the younger brother. He's a little tall.

Taking a walk on the sand dunes.

Sailing!

Our little friend who sailed with us.

At some historic house in St. Mary's.

Family picture on the beach.

Dad and the girls.

I really have no idea...

Moving!

In January, I'll be picking up and moving. Where, you ask?

Africa, of course!! Seriously. I'm moving to Africa in January. I'll be there until the end of July.

I've been praying about an opportunity to go oversees to do orphan-care work for over a year now. I thought that I would be going to Russia. God had other plans.

I will be going to either Swaziland or Kenya. Mostly likely Swaziland, but there's a possibility of Kenya as well. Swaziland is a small, land-locked country located almost completely within South Africa (the eastern side is Mozambique). Over 40% of the population is infected with AIDS, resulting in a HUGE number of orphans. It is very common to have child-headed households. Here are a few pictures that some friends of mine took on their recent trip to Swaziland with Children's Hope Chest. The thing that strikes me most about these pictures is that, in spite of the fact that these most of these kids don't have shoes or know with certainty when they will be eating again, they all have joy in their eyes. I love that!

The few details I know:

I will be going through Adventures in Missions. I leave January 4th for Matamoros, Mexico, where I will go through extensive training for eight weeks. I will then spent five months in-country. My time will be primarily spent feeding, caring for, and lovin' on these kids. I return to America July 24th. I truly feel privileged to have the opportunity to share Jesus with the "least of these."

Please be praying for me and my team (who I don't know yet) as we prepare for this trip. I do have to raise support for this trip and if any aspect of the trip causes me stress, it's that!

I will keep you updated on all that happens in the next few months! Thanks so much for your support.

"Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world." - James 1:27