Malawi

 So I'm going to Malawi... questions?


Where is Malawi?

When/for how long are you going?
I'm leaving the second week in July and I'll be there for 2 weeks

Who are you going with?
A team of 17; 3 guys and 14 girls (I know, poor guys! lol) we range from high school aged to married with grown children. But, one of the many exciting things about this trip is that my long time best friend (we met when I was just 6!) is going with me!

This is me and L

L is such an awesome friend and I'm so excited she'll be on the trip with me! This will be her first trip to Africa and I'm so excited to share this time with her!!

What are you doing there?

We will be working with special needs children, demonstrating true love to them in a way they can understand. We will also be working with the families and caretakers of the children to impact the way they and their communities interact with these special children, hoping to show them the true blessings found in these kids.

The usual: Is Malawi safe?
 Malawi is probably the safest out of all the places in Africa I have been to :-) It has an open and welcoming culture and is a democracy. However, it is one of the most densely populated and poorest countries in Africa. It has been ravaged by the HIV/AIDS epidemic and has staggering numbers of orphans and broken families as a result.

Can I help/get involved?
YES!!! 

1. Getting to the more southern portions of Africa is expensive! I've never asked for support before and, I'm going to be honest, it's hard for me to do so. But He continues to confirm in my heart that it is not up to me to decide who wants to participate in this journey with me. So, I'm asking and trusting that He will provide through His people. If you've been reading for any length of time, you know I do not post locations or specific organization names, so please contact me if you have any interest in helping me go to Malawi or if you just want more information.

2. Underwear! I know it seems strange, but my team and I are collecting new children's (elementary to high school aged) underwear. We will be visiting and working with many children's homes and orphans. This basic necessity is highly needed for these kids and my team is aiming to bring a bunch with us to give to the homes. So, if you're able, I will be collecting new (packaged) underwear from now until the day I leave and would greatly appreciate your donation!


that's all for now :-) Stay tuned...
  

Headed back...

In the past 3 years I have....

- Graduated college
- started my career as a nurse
- Run 2 half marathons
- said goodbye to dear friends
- made new, amazing friends
- Traveled to parts of my country I have never seen before
- Learned so much
- realized how much I have to learn
- completed a triathlon
- bought a house


But with all these amazing things going on, somehow, it has always come back to the one thing, in the past 3 years, that I have not done. The thing that excites me, scares me, teaches me, opens me up to more questions, and brings unimaginable joy to my heart.

And so, here we go again... I'm going back, across the ocean, across cultures, across languages, a place I've never been, but a place I feel at home.

I'm going back to Africa

More to come...so much more :-)

80 years

 My Grandma turned 80 years old this April!

My momma and I flew up to celebrate with her. She got to ride the bull at the roadhouse.

And then we had a big party for her! There were probably between 150 and 200 people there...my grandma sure is popular!

Living in a small town has its benefits, because several friends from her elementary school class were there to celebrate with her!

And, though it's always hard to get the whole family anywhere, we got a good number of us up to celebrate with her!

And then followed up her 80th party with another important one that was happening that weekend... little B's 2nd birthday!









Great weekend with a great family. I'm so blessed :-)

Fit for a Princess

Well, we did it again...

The Disney Princess half marathon!

This year we went as Ariel, Snow White, and Cinderella! It was so fun to make costumes this time!

Getting ready to start the race!

I ran with a camera this year, so I got lots of pics!
 
Running into the Magic Kingdom

  
Found some of Snow White's buddies along the way!

One of my favorite parts!! Running through Cinderella's castle!

 Finishing!
I was a little bummed; it took me 2 minutes longer this year than the last time I ran it, I was hoping to beat my time, guess all the pictures have their sacrifices!

Got my medal!

We all finished!

I'm still a little sore, but it really was a lot of fun! We were all talking about doing a full marathon some day, but after last weekend....maybe not just yet...

Dirty Girl

Nursing school buddy and I did the 5K Dirty Girl mud run the other weekend! It was so much fun and raised a lot of money for breast cancer research.

 3.1 miles, 11 obstacles, So much fun!

 Definitely looking forward to our next mud run!
But until then, Disney half marathon is next weekend!!

Mimi

I've been meaning to write this post for a long time.

My Mimi passed away in October. I was so blessed to have gotten to spend so much time with this amazing woman who shared so much joy, love, and passion with my family and I. Having a grandmother live with you as you grow up brings a unique dynamic to a household, but for me, it grew our relationship so much. This woman was able to impart so much wisdom on this girl of the 21st century, having experiences to share all the way back from the great depression, she shared her perspective as she followed Him through the many drastic changes this world brought.

I will miss her so much, but am so glad to have the assurance of seeing her again someday.

 Going back to her home town to say our final goodbyes and lay her to rest next to her husband, we had an amazing time of remembering and celebrating her life. Friends and family alike poured out love and memories as we came to realize just how many lives she touched in her 96 years here. We walked away not in sadness, but in an renewed awe of her life and a renewed appreciation for one of life's true miracles; family

Always in our hearts, Mimi

Tri

 Bucket list item: complete triathlon - check!

 

 Buddy and I about ready to start!

 Getting ready for the swim - 0.25 mi














 Sun rising, triathletes swimming

13 mi bike







 

Finishing up with a lovely 5k







 

We both finished!






 

24~ the year of the Tri 






 

Cruising

 Crusing out of Tampa, FL

 On our awesome ship

Spelunking in Mexico

 

 Zip-lining and Cave Tubing in Belieze

 More Zip-lining in Raton, Honduras

 Then Snorkeling Off Raton's beautiful coast

And sea turtles and reefs in Grand Cayman

It Was Just a little awesome ;-)