To Alaska I Go

Today I leave for Alaska.  Good bye Ohio, I shall see you again September 17th.

From Here to There

  Have no fear....we made it back from our New England adventure!  This trip took us through Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont.  So that adds 4 new states, bringing my total up to 11.  If only I were driving to my next destinations the count would increase immensely, but luckily I have the privilege of flying which means more time to spend with friends and family and less time to spend in the car.

Woohoo!!!! The newly weds are off to begin a
magical new life together. 

  Upon arriving in Boston, I had the opportunity to catch up with cousins, uncle, aunt, and even my brother who had just flown in from Oaxaca, Mexico.  (Not sure if it has clicked in your memory or not, but next year my parents will have 3 of 4 children outside of the United States).  We spent Thursday and Friday enjoying each other's company and playing all varieties of games.  Other activities included walking around ponds and picnicking, which of course included some Kubb.  It was great to simply catch up on current family events, reminisce, and of course do some laughing.
  Saturday after a morning stroll in Boston, we got spiffed up and headed off to a wedding of a dear friend of mine.  (It really is quite amazing how close people can get through writing via snail mail).  The wedding was absolutely beautiful, the message meaningful, and the smiles simply contagious.  I am truly blessed to have such wonderful examples of Godly people in my life.  I was able to greet a few friends from collage, including the friend who planted the seed that blossomed into my Chad trip.  Without her suggestion, I don't know that I would have agreed to this adventure.  See, God really does know what he is doing, each individual has a purpose for our life.

No matter where I go, there is always part of my Christian family
waiting with open arms so that we might worship God together.

Not too bad for out the car window moving 70 miles/hour

  After the wedding we did a quick detour/dinner to meet my aunt and uncle, because we left a few items at their Boston home.  After dinner we headed straight to New Hampshire where we were hosted by a wonderful family from the Monadnock Covenant Church.  After talking a bit, we headed to bed.  Sunday morning we woke up early to a beautiful setting with trees, mountains, birds, and flowers.  After breakfast we headed to church, where my brother was presenting a bit about his mission in Oaxaca.  When church ended, we were presented with a delicious road lunch and yet again we hit the road.  It only took about 9.5 hours to make it home to Ohio, and yet again we got to watch as the sunset changed the sky into beautiful hues of orange, red, and yellow.  It simply feels like the perfect ending to a wonderful trip.

Pie!  Hand picked and made right in our very own kitchen.

  Currently I am finishing last minute details for my month long trek around the U.S.  I must also assemble my visa packet so that my parents can send it in when the proper time comes.  I must now figure out what I should pack in my carry-on, for I need the clothes to last 1 month, including wedding attire, and layers to keep me prepared for all types of climates.  Thursday brings about the joy of getting to travel, but it also means saying adios to my brother, for who knows the next time we shall see each other.  Thus is the problem of having an international family.  The good news is that it is blackberry season here in Ohio!  Delicious things to be made with these juicy berries and peaches from a tree in our yard.  There is simply something special about harvesting the fruit before turning it into a delicious dessert that makes it even better.  The way God can provide for us, each and every day is amazing.

Logistical Advances

My birthday may be over, but I am still
blessed everyday by friends and family.
Is this way the orchid lives on!

  Here is just a brief update about how logistical aspects for my trip to Chad are coming.  I have tried to get most everything squared away prior to my U.S. travels and the return of my brother.  I have been vaccinated and had all my shot records updated.  I have opened up two new bank accounts in hopes that I can manage my money through an ATM and not be charged exorbitant fees.  I have also place my mom on these accounts in case I need assistance stateside.  I have purchased evacuation insurance, praying that I will never need it, and if I do, that the insurance company won't be able to find some loophole so they won't help. (This was my first time searching for and obtaining insurance, not something I would like to repeat on a regular basis.)  My biggest concern is obtaining my visa.  The problem is that there is only one Chadian consulate in the U.S.  Their website is no longer functioning and I have been unable to get through on the telephone.  I believe I have all of the correct paperwork to mail in, however some reassurance would be nice.  I am also uncertain when I should send it in.  I believe that the visa is good for 1 month after the issue date, so I don't want to be early.  So please pray that my visa will be issued at the right time despite my inability to make contact with the embassy.  Another concern for my trip is still the funding.  I have already received so many donations, it is really overwhelming.  I still do have to raise some additional money, and I am praying that perhaps during my stateside travels I will be able to talk to some people who would be interested in helping me serve.  What ever the case may be I need to simply trust God on this matter and know that if this trip wasn't in his hands things would not have gone so smoothly thus far.  I am grateful for everyone's prayers and assistance in this process.

You Matter

  I would simply like to state how truly blessed I am to have such a wonderful family and such a great group of friends.  There is more to learn than could be learned in a  lifetime but I am grateful for each and everyone of you who teaches me.  As my cousin reminded me, so I remind you, that you too matter.  You have all changed my life in some way, and thus you matter.
  This past week I had the opportunity to reminisce about old memories as well as make some new ones.  I was able to experience the trill of a jet-ski for the first time, laughing and smiling.  I was able to watch yet another amazing sunset, though sadly no pictures this time.  Basically I got to spend an evening with wonderful people and that is exactly what the heart and mind needs.
  I know you are all curious about which states I got to see this week, so here is the count....Ohio (of course, though it is rather big when traveling north to south), West Virginia, Virginia, North Carolina, and just across the boarder into South Carolina.  Add that to Oregon (where I started the year) and Pennsylvania (my previous trip) and my count is up to 7.  Considering there are 50 states, this percentage is not very good, but have no fear we shall do some driving this weekend as well.
  Here is where I must do a little bragging about my family.  The whole reason for driving to Charlotte was to visit my Uncle, Aunt, 3 cousins, and 3 second cousins.  My mom and I also drove my grandparents down so they could visit the family as well.  Some of my cousins I have not seen for years, and we simply start up where we left off.  We fill each other in on the gaps in our lives, and then right away get to playing games, and of course there is always laughing.  We share fond memories and and talk late into the night.  We also get to share a room in an empty house on the corner!  Basically we all get along, enjoy each other's company, and look forward to the next time we are together stating that the previous visit was too short.  I certainly hope that my brothers and I can coordinate so that our hypothetical children might also be able to have a group of cousins all within 10 years of each other.  Playing games, watching the Olympics, talking, having yard game tournaments, picnicking, and simply having fun consumed my weekend.  After church Sunday we piled into the car and headed back to the north.  Next weekend we shall continue the adventure north with an eastern direction added in!

Let the Travels Begin

  Today I said good bye to my aunt and 6 year old cousin who were here visiting in Ohio.  We had a wonderful week filled with berry picking, swimming, enjoying some water slides, and simply laughing at all the crazy things a 6 year old says.  It was great to see them, and even greater to know that I will be seeing them again in about a month.  I also said goodbye to my high school friends who were home for the summer, as many of them have departed to return to school or jobs outside of Ashtabula.  It was great to spend time with them and find out how their lives have been changing.

Cooling off

 As for a Chad preparation update, I have all my shots and I got my malaria medication in the mail today (big green capsules that I must take each and every day).  I have also opened new bank accounts  and am still searching for the best evacuation insurance for my needs.  I still must apply for my VISA, if only the Chadian embassy in the US could get their website up and running again, my life would be much easier.  I have started gathering items to pack, including 2 fans!  In regards to fundraising, I am so grateful to the people who have donated to my adventure thus far.  I am about $2000 away from reaching my goal to fund all my necessities for the trip.  Prayers for me in learning how to trust that the funds will come in as well as how I might be able to reach more people would greatly be appreciated.  The family I will be living with next year has arrived in Chad to begin the transition back and anticipate my coming in October of course!

Nothing like a freshly picked black berry pie.....

...to watch the sun set and the moon rise!

  Aside from figuring out additional trip details, August brings about the start to my traveling.  First up my mom and I are driving down to North Carolina to visit family down there.  My grandparents will also be riding down, thus the large collection of books on CD that we just borrowed from the library.  We will depart bright and early on Thursday and return Sunday evening.  It will be a quick, but worth while trip.  Let the State countdown begin....thus far Oregon, Ohio, Pennsylvania....