If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.
... 1 Corinthians 13:1

I think I'll take a stroll around the block

Just because I used an Aladdin reference as the title, I thought I would share the video.

I laughed so hard watching this again!

So this is it. I leave tomorrow morning.

I am trying to be calm and level headed but I don't think even my best efforts will help me sleep at all tonight.

I have a camera again!!

So that means I can show you pictures of the last two days.

Henna

TODAY

Today Jessica and I took a walk along the river walk in Batavia. 

This was a first for both of us.

It was beautiful!

It was wonderful to catch up with one another, but we definitely missed Julia being with us.

It has been so wonderful to spend time with my dear friends again.

They have been a breath of fresh air!

:]

This is happening

I have sat down and attempted to update on my life a good 5 times over the course of the last month but have absolutely no desire to blog.
I will try again.
I don't remember where I left everyone off on my life.

I flew out of Boise Sept.20th. I left on kind of a whim but I knew it was time.
I flew into GreenBay, Wi and naturally had a crazy flight. My last flight was canceled, I got on an earlier flight via standby. My bags did not arrive at the airport with me (they were carrying most of my possessions). I spent two weeks in with my sister.
 For a while it looked like I would have a short term job. That fell through.

I then spent almost 2 weeks in Northern Wisconsin with extended family there.
It was really good to spend the time with family.
I went on motorcycle rides with my Grandpa.
I spent a weekend camping with my Uncles, Aunts and cousins.
Went swimming in a cold Wisconsin lake with my cousin.
Got to watch one of my little cousin's gymnastics practices.
Sat in the hot tub with family.
Had important talks; had terribly encouraging talks,
and got some much needed rest.

I returned to my sisters house on a Friday morning and within hours was back in the car driving to Southern Wisconsin.  We spent the weekend in S. Wisconsin with Kyle's family.
It was my first time meeting them. They were really great people though.
I also had the chance to meet with Pastor Shelli whom I have known for almost half of my life. We met up to catch up on each others lives as well as talk about Missions opportunities.
She does a lot of work in Ghana Africa and has a friend there who wants to build a clinic.
I was so excited by the time I left. I was so excited to hear what was happening in Ghana and I am already thinking of a time to visit.

Within that week we made a trip to Green Bay and spent the night at our Grandma's house. I had a number of boxes that I needed to add to the many boxes already stored in her basement. It was a really great walk down memory lane. I also was shocked by how much junk I have.
While in GreenBay  I went to buy my airline ticket for Ecuador and found that the price had jumped by a hundred dollars since the day before. I had a small freak out but then decided to fly out a week later.

I now have my ticket to fly out to Ecuador on Oct.31st.

I am getting terribly excited.

BUTTTTTTT WAIIITTTTT!!!
There is more to this story.
This last Friday, Ania picked me up from Julia's house and we drove down to the Chicago area.
SO now I am in the Chicago area.
I am seeing a lot of friends and I even learned how to dance the cake walk last night.

I now leave in a little over a week and have only a few very small things to get in order.
This is happening. I am very excited.


That is my update for now. Sorry it is entirely lacking in eloquence and reads more like a time line.
Sometimes life just happens that way.