This is the Last Time

Okay not the last time ever... just the last time for 2 years.

We are leaving at 5pm today. I can't believe it's finally time to go. I'm so ready to be in Africa!

LAST... Birthday Party

Thanks Ry for the awesome faces and making us retake the picture multiple times. I'm going to miss my family!

LAST... Saturday Morning Cappuccino

Please take note of Papa Jim - He makes the best cup around! I love you Papa #2

LAST... Game Night

Kooper loves posing for pictures. I'm gonna miss you both so much. Thanks for all your support and love over the years for your baby sister. Look who's flown the coop now!

LAST... Father's Day

I love you so much Dad. Thanks for always being there for me. We'll celebrate next year on skype.

LAST... Coffee Date with Anne

Thanks for all the good times spent sharing life together and encouraging one another. You've been there for me from the beginning.

LAST... Day with Lori

I'm gonna miss just hangin' out with you doing whatever. Can't believe we've only known each other for seven months and it feels like a lifetime (in a good way of course).

I Love My Aunt Rachie

In case you had a blonde moment like I did after receiving this birthday gift from my sister... 

Vanessa is pregnant

And I'm going to be an Aunt!!

I'm so excited for V and Ry O... just a little sad that I won't get to meet my first nephew/niece in person for 2 years. But I heart technology and will be keeping in touch via skype :)

And here is a picture from Theresa's Baby Shower - I'm still hoping Chloe will come so I can see her before I head to Africa!

Commissioning Service x2

On Sunday, Amber and I were commissioned at Brier Creek by 2 of my favorite people, Danny & J.D. This is a picture of my parents and I before heading back to training. 

We were then commissioned in VA this past Wednesday. Thank you to Mom, Dad, Dawn & Kim for driving up to support me :)

These are just a few of the kids that I'm going to miss... 

It was hard saying goodbye but I'm excited to be flying out on Wed. June 24th!! Thank you to all of you who were praying for my visa to arrive... it came today SO I'm going to get to travel with Amber after all.

Friends Are Friends Forever

Some of my awesome friends came for a visit!

We went on a canal boat tour in downtown Richmond. We had fun with "Cotton" our boat captain. 

How would you like to spend 27 hours in a 3x2 wooden crate? 

In 1849 Henry "Box" Brown, a slave in Richmond, VA mailed himself to the Philadelphia office of the Anti-Slavery Society and was freed!

East African Meal

We had an awesome African meal which included many different foods that I don't know the names of. We had beef, beans, greens and fruit. We also had pop, which is called all different names depending on where you go in Africa - we shaped it into a spoon to eat since we were not allowed to use silverware. We also had chipatas which is a sort of bread that looks like tortillas. We had fun helping to prepare everything. 

This is a picture of Team #3!

Ultimate...

...Frisbee

I got some ups, not really but I've enjoyed trying to play. This is how we spend the little amount of free time we have after being in class all day.

Sanibonani

Greetings in Zulu

Sorry I have not been able to post recently... I'm doing well but have been extremely busy. I may not be able to update over the next couple weeks but please stay tuned. Enjoy this picture of Amber and I in traditional Kenyan dress :)

It's So Hard To Say Goodbye...

Amber and I had a joint going away party! Thank you to all our family and friends who came. We appreciate all your love, prayers and support. 

Here are a few pictures from the fun had:

Lori and Noah being sad.

My parents and my second parents with my best friend Kim. I've known these guys since I was two!

The Gregory family is awesome! 

Institute Reunion (well 4 out of 9)

I'm really going to miss this family! Thank you for letting me be a part of your lives.

Quality Time

I have been blessed with the opportunity to spend time with family and friends these past couple of weeks...

Family Game Night! 

I'm sad to admit that the boys won Pictionary & Taboo. 

Amber and I visited the 1st/2nd grade Sunday School class to talk about South Africa. We sang and played African drums!

Habitat for Humanity -- house built by women

We had fun helping build a storage shed. And I got to use a power saw :)

The sweet family that I have had the privilege of babysitting for. 

I love you and will miss you girls!

My Small Group Rocks!

We celebrated my soon departure with a night out on the town! Filled with arcade games, go-karts and laser tag.

Please take note of our domination in laser tag... so what if we played young children.

Lynn is not just holding her arm out for the fun of it... we missed you Sarah!

Thank you for "adopting" me and being willing to support and pray for me! I'm going to miss you guys but I'm looking forward to a visit from the PCPers while overseas.

Love you  :)