Home Stretch

Today, I bought my plane ticket, sent in my arrival information, and am currently waiting for my banana bread to finish baking. I have also finished out my tuition fees and will now be starting on my outreach fees! I am so excited. It is amazing to think that I have $3350 for YWAM.. well, not on me, but they have it. That did not really make sense. Haha Earlier I talked with a couple of girls going and then tomorrow night, we have all planned on video chatting and "hanging out" as much as one can over the internet. My list for DTS is getting smaller and smaller. More lines through more points. I am so excited. This is it. The beginning. I am still in need of wool socks and sheets for the bed and my passport (the actual book). There is something else I need too, but I can not remember at the moment. Mmmm, I can smell the bread. What a second, that does not smell 100% correct. Grrr. Oh no wait, my nose is clogged. Raique keeps talking about giving me a party or having one, but I am not big into parties. Because then people feel obligated to get you something or give you money or something and I hate making people feel obligated. So I suggested a Ranger's game. Hopefully that works and if not, oh well. On Saturday, September 15, I fly into Chicago, IL and will get to spend most of the day with some awesome people! I do not have to worry about getting anywhere but to The Bean, whatever that is! Oh! I smell the bread! Mmmm. And butter on top of a hot piece. Later y'all and sorry for being so scatter- brained!

First of the Lasts

This is it! My last day of summer school! My last day of school before I go to YWAM! As much as I dislike the stress of this place, I am going to miss it in a weird way. But then again, I will probably miss working too. I could not even type that with a straight face. Haha Lately, I have begun to freak out. I am scared of what is to come because I can not even phathom what if will be like... Which has me excited. Something new! But then again, I stay awake most nights trying to remain calm. But, again, when am I ever not calm? As my date of departure gets closer, my needs get slimmer. I still need $120 plus my passport and flight, but God's got this. I know this. Ashamedly, I must admit: I have been hiding lately. From everyone. Including God. Or trying to hide from Him. I have become the most dispicable kind of Christian: the word Christian. How do I advance the Kingdom when all I say is not as I do? I am frustrated with myself and annoyed that I have become someone I have never wanted to be. I have been hiding from people lately too. I have drawn back into my shell and I am okay with that, yet I am not. Honestly, I am tired of having to look at people and think about them not being who they say they are or not doing as they say they will. Or stabbing me in the back. Yes, I am strong. Strong physically, emotionally, mentally. Strong-willed too. But I do hurt and right now I would rather have a pity party for myself then move on. What might this have to do with YWAM? Honestly, I have no idea, but hey, you know how you can pray for me! Haha Gotta get going. Another final.

The Best Family

Today has been a long day already and it is only 9:30 pm. I have yet to eat, but I have been doing this for awhile now that I think my body is used to it. Not exactly something I want to brag about. Most of the day, I am stuck at school. Learning, or attempting to learn, biology and, actually learning, music theory. Thinking of food makes me super hungry. Food break. I guess wheat crackers will do. Ugh commercials. I just want to watch the Olympics. Not commercials, especially food ones. I got home 12 hours after I left and when I got here I had mail. Just as a side note: I LOVE RECEIVING MAIL so if you want to send me some. ;) So I had mail and I got excited. I like to try to recognize handwriting, so I covered the corner and released I knew the handwriting! I smiled wide and my dad looked at me like I was crazy, but I love this woman. :) My long-time friend, fondly dubbed Joey, sent me mail. I just want to reemphasize that I LOVE RECEIVING MAIL. Back to my story: I thought Joey was sending me a card or note saying she missed me cause I am that awesome or something of the sort. She was not. I opened the envelope and I saw a check. A check for $200. On top of that, I went over to my aunt's on Friday to hang out with her and my uncles and grandparents and cousins and mom and step-dad. We were having Cincinnati chili- the only chili I will eat. (It was amazing too.) Anyway, my Uncle Wink had come up to the Dallas Fort Worth area from Houston and we were all hanging out at B's. I had gone early by about an hour to just let B know what was up and hang out with my youngest cousin, Zoe. BB and I were talking in the kitchen, Wink being the chef was in there as well, and Brandi asked me how YWAM was going and if I was almost to my goal and my uncle pulled money out of his pocket peeled off a $100 bill and handed it to me. I started crying. It was the last thing I expected. From both Josanna and Wink. I am now down to $250. Y'all, I am going to YWAM Madison in September!! So excited. I will also find an address to the base at Wisconsin. Here you will be able to send money to me and receive a tax write-off. HOWEVER, IN ORDER TO DO SO YOU **MUST ** PUT MY NAME AND "OUTREACH" ON A SLIP OF PAPER. And you can also send me a letter. ;) My friends, thank you. P.S. It is now 11 pm