While Traveling

I'm still traveling. But that will be over soon enough. We are currently in Dallas Tx. Honestly its uneventful...but I just felt like posting something. I've been tired alot lately and not really thinking well enough to write something interesting or thoughtful. I've been learning all about my new Canon camera and tagging pictures. With almost 8,000 pictures tagging them all is an

extremely extensive process. I've also been trying to update my contacts -another extremely boring and extensive process. I'm really looking forward to getting to Alabama soon and being with my brothers and family again. I'm also looking forward to making a definate decision about the World Race.

I just realized I've never explained what The World Race is. So here goes. The World Race a year long mission trip. It is also a trip around the world. It involves ministering in 11 countries in 11 months. It also includes a great deal of documenting and sharing of experiences through blogging. It is an amazing opportunity that I'm thinking of taking starting July 2008 (the support raising and training process will start much sooner).

The difficult thing about going on the World Race is that I will not be able to return to Kenya with my parents, Mercy and Jed in December. Honestly the hardest part is Jed - he struggles with alot of insecurity anyways and I dread the separation at the airport. He has already made comments about not leaving anybody behind when returning and stuff like that ;(. It will definately be hard.

This is new

This is my first post at blogspot. And since it is 11:00pm Central time this will be short. I'm on the road. And have been for 1 month and 8 days. Its long journey. The trip started in southwestern North Carolina. There was a night at friends of my parents in Greensburo, NC. A interesting day in suburban DC followed. We slept at my aunt's house - but she wasn't home. I did get to spend sometime making my 88 year old grandmother happy by simply listening to her tell some stories. On our way to northern NY we spent a night on the road somewhere in Pennsylvania. Then can two wonderful weeks in my hometown in northern NY. Lots of friends and even better - my two brothers with all their family were there. We made some wonderful memories. Since leaving Malone 15 days ago we have spent nights in 8 different places. First stop: Syracuse NY - my Dad's aunt and uncle - 1 night. Stop #2: Rochester, NY - old family friends including the doctor who delivered me, my friends from college, and a little shopping, a fancy dinner and some traveling blues - 4 nights. Location 3: someplace in Pennsylvania - plus a stop at Niagra falls...Finally - 1 night. Round 4: Youngstown, OH - my mom's stepmother's place - 1 night. Fifth: Springfield, OH - guess what we actually forgot our Canon Rebel digital camera in the hotel room, but hey I got to go swimming and work out... and I got a shock... I've already gained 10 lbs!! - 1 night. Location # 6: Indianapolis, IN - my uncle's house. Its on a lake and we went on his boat and we tour downtown Indianapolis and the canal which is beautiful - 4 nights. Bed # 7: Brookfield, MO - where my mom graduated from High School. The lady we stayed with is a wonderful cook and I think I've added another 5 pounds from her biscuits and gravy. - 3 nights. Finally Round 8 - Comfort Inn in Kansas. At least I have wireless internet! - 1 night.

In all this travel though I'm actually learning alot. God has been teaching me alot of about love, compassion and kindness lately and I'm getting to practice it. First of all I spend hours each day in the same car with 4 other people - one of whom is 4 years old.

That means - LOTS of PATIENCE :). Secondly I am exposed to alot of people in alot of different situations. One of the honestly most exciting things for me so far on this trip was at Walmart. I actually stopped focusing on myself for a moment and engaged the cashier in a conversation about herself. And it was exciting to see her respond to just that tiny but of interest I showed. I can't wait to more opportunities.

Another exciting thing - I might get to write a story or two for a webzine called Wrecked for the Ordinary. Its awesome stuff - check it out at http://www.wreckedfortheordinary.com/

Good night