I'm Leavin on a Jet Plane...Well Actually Two....

Well friends, we are down to the final hours...for me the final hour, because I will be in bed soon and hopefully asleep. I say hopefully because I usually go to bed around 1am...and I'll be trying to fall asleep at 9am...because I will be getting up at 2:30am...a mere hour and a half after I usually go to bed.

Anyone else see the difficulty here?

I'm all packed...in ONE suitcase and ONE backpack. This is huge for me. If you had taken trips with me in the old youth group days, you would understand why...and I am, of course, being accompanied by my constant traveling companion, Hercule Poirot. 'Cause...he's awesome.

I am so incredibly excited...but at the same time, I'm trying not to think about it too much tonight so that I can sleep...which reminds me that I need to get the coffee pot ready to perk at 2:20....

I had a pretty good last day in the U.S. of A.

Which included eating what turned out to be very American foods. Had breakfast at McDonald's--'cause nothing screams American like McDonald's. Chili Frito Pie for lunch at a diner near my house....and a corn dog for dinner. I seriously did NOT even plan out these meals beforehand guys. It just happened.

Got to talk to some of my favorite people today too....

Got a phone call from my friend, Jayme...one of my absolute favorite Belmont girls! Sadly, though, I missed her call....but we exchanged voicemail messages :)

Texted several of my good friends and wrote to several more on facebook...I love you all very much and will miss you...and will of course have lunch with you all when I get back :)

AND....

Got to hang out with one of my bestest friends ever for several hours...which included eating lunch...I am so glad I got to see Lisa Farrel before I headed off to Costa Rica! Too bad she won't still be here when I get back :)

Also, my parents deserve an XXL thank.you.so.very.much....they have been awesome in helping me get ready for this trip in 5 short days!! Love y'all :)

And so...that is all for now...tomorrow at this time, I will be far far away in Costa Rica!!!!! I am so incredibly blessed and thankful!! God is truly an amazing God and I can't wait to share Him and His love over the next seven days!!!!

To Pack or Not to Pack...Eh, More Like What to Pack.

Well....we are down to two nights and a day!! I still can hardly believe it! I don't feel like it will really hit me that I am GOING until I get up at 3:15ish on Saturday morning. But something will hit me then...and I'm hoping it brings coffee. When you are going to hit someone that early, Emily Post demands that you bring coffee. Lots and lots of coffee.

The camera came in today and I LOVE it!! I have already tried it out :) It's pretty good for a little baby camera...and it's pink...enough said.

Snacks were bought last night...and all I can say is that I hope to only eat about 15% of them or I will come home weighing about 20 lbs more than when I leave. And that will be bad. So (to those of you going with me) eat my snacks! (But save a little for me?)

Clothes were bought today...more specifically basketball shorts, because my work-out shorts consist of Sophies...which are of course, too short. Which got me thinking: if they are too short to wear on a missions trip, are they too short to wear around my town?? Probably--shoot a monkey. So now I have invested in longer shorts.

You're welcome, world.

And pants...which I am in love with because they are super comfortable, and guess what? It's going to get COOL there sometimes!!

WHAT??

I know!! I can hardly remember what cold feels like right now in our 95 degree weather! 68...what even is that??? I don't remember...but I think I'll like it!!

Items have been placed in a suitcase...and it's only Thursday night.

Be proud.

But...I'm not FINISHED packing. Yeah, yeah....you're not surprised. Me either.

I've been reading The Shack--'cause all I do is read in the summer--and the book Pastor Jimmy is having us read for our trip, Jesus Wants to Save Christians. They are both simply amazing and slowly but surely beginning to change the way I view God, Jesus, the church, and my relationship with all three.

You should read them both...because they are good...and I don't lie about books...or really anything else. But if I was going to lie...it would never be about a book. Unless you write a book and I read it and you ask me if I like it. I will always say "Yes!!" and talk about something in it that I liked, even if I didn't like it. Because you are my friend, and you would have spent all that time writing a book. And besides, I can always find something to redeem a book--some lesson learned or well written scene.

But I ended up in Texas when I wanted to go to Maine...so back to where we started (which would be TN, for those of you who are just really lost).

I have begun viewing God differently...The Shack really started me on this path. I don't want to ruin the book for those of you who have not read it, but the author portrays God in a way that is rather controversial for many people. It even shocked me at first...but I REALLY like it! I don't really know how to describe it but I feel my relationship is changing. I guess, to be honest, it is becoming more of a Relationship than merely a Religion.

I'm beginning to understand that I really need to put in the time to get to know God. To find out who He is and what He's really all about rather than just taking other people's opinions and thoughts as my own. What exactly makes God tick?

I'm beginning to understand the concept of trust. I don't really trust too well. Not just God...I don't really trust anyone. But that doesn't make it right. God has a plan; and it's better than mine. I have always known this; but I don't think I believed it. I'm trying to now, though.

So...I'm starting to think that everything I've been doing the past few months has been leading me to where I am, and I can't help but feel that it's happened now for a reason.

Maybe even for this trip.

So, dear family and friends, I am off to read...and then to sleep...

Also, I am going to miss these guys...'cause they are funny...and pretty great...and I love 'em!