Leaving for Nicaragua...

I had enough time to catch some sights in DC this morning--Washington Monument, Jefferson Memorial, WWII Memorial, Vietnam Memorial, Korean War Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, the White House, and the Capitol Building.  It was fun to walk around the National Mall but it was WAY hot so we got a little sweaty... We took the metro back & managed to get in to the hotel about 10 minutes before our meeting, just enough time to change & quickly get downstairs :) 

After all the fun paperwork & meetings, we had our "last supper" in the States and headed back to the hotel.  I've been packing and sorting things for awhile & took a nice long, hot shower (could be my last--except for the first 3 days in Managua). 

Just wanted to give a quick update and let you know everything is going well & I'm anxious to get to Nicaragua!  Sorry if I haven't called you if I told you I would...there hasn't been much time!!  :(  I will try to get some calls out in Managua.  All right, last night in the States is a little sad, but I know Nicaragua will be fun.  Please send letters if you can--it will be nice to hear from home :)  My address is posted on here.

DC

I'm here in DC safe and sound :)  There was a guy from Oregon (Sam) on my flight so we got to chat in between flights.  Then, we took a taxi to our hotel and met up with another guy from Puerto Rico (Josue) and met two girls for dinner: Jessie (Colorado) and Jessica (Arizona).  It was nice to have a small group to hang out with tonight & we're planning on going out tomorrow to check out the sights!  :)  Tomorrow afternoon/evening we have Peace Corps meetings/orientation stuff, but then hopefully we'll get to hang out more as a group and have fun!  Ok, well this is it for now because we're going to bed soon, as it has been a long day of traveling, but I will post when I arrive in Nicaragua.  Peace to all of you :)

Last Day in Oregon

Well today is my last day in Oregon before I head off for Nicaragua... I had been doing well no getting too emotional with goodbyes, but today after church was difficult.  I was saying goodbye to some close friends and I couldn't help but break down.  Reality hit.  I think it's an overwhelming mix of emotions.  I'm happy and excited to be going to Nicaragua because I know that it will be an incredible experience and I am eager to serve the people there.  I am sad to leave family and friends behind and not be able to talk to them anytime I want.  I feel so blessed and humbled by the vast amount of people telling me that they are praying for me and they are proud of me.  There is no way to fully explain what I feel now, but I do feel grateful for this wonderful blessing in my life. 

Today was a nice, easy day.  My family went to church, we saw some good friends and said some sad goodbyes, and then went home.  We had a couple visitors to add some pages to my scrapbook and then I had a great dinner with my parents.  Dad made mashed potatoes & peas (my favorite), smoked chicken, and corn on the cob.  Mom & I went to the store to make some last minute purchases (gifts for my host family) and then we had some strawberry rhubarb pie at home.  We then had a Skype refresher course to make sure my parents remembered their user names & passwords and then how to call me :) 

I have my bags packed--just need to add a couple things in the morning that I'll use before I take off to the airport.  I feel good, not rushed and stressed.  This is exciting!  DC tomorrow and Nicaragua on Wednesday :)

Dad & Daughter Day

I've been spending a lot of time with my mom lately, cherishing the last days here in Oregon before I leave for Nicaragua.  My dad travels a lot for work and because his business is with ponds and gardening, summer is the high travel season for trade shows, etc.  Thursday I went and got pedicures with my mom, godmother, and her daughter, which was super fun and a nice treat before I leave.  Today (Friday--I stayed up late tonight), although my dad had to work at a trade show, I went with him and worked in the booth to spend some extra time with him.  I've worked with him before so it was fun and I love listening to my dad talk about the products because I'm amazed at his knowledge and skill.  He also works with some fun people that I love visiting with (even if they are Duck fans...yuck!).  Anyway, we had a nice drive up to Portland for the show and enjoyed each other's company while there.  After the show we headed home and then went out to dinner, just the two of us :)  We went to our favorite Mexican restaurant in town and my dad told me I could only use Spanish, so I did, which was fun, because he then asked me what I said, or what the waitress asked, or to translate things on the wall haha  We really had a great time and made sure to complete our dinner with deep fried ice cream. Yum!  After dinner we went back home again and settled onto the couch to drift away into the comedy of The Office.  I love my dad and I really will miss these moments!  I love my mom too of course :)

Thankful.

Wow.  Sunday was a blessed day.  I went to church with my family where we had an outdoor service at the new park in town.  It was beautiful and it did not rain, as it was predicted to do.  I shared my testimony of deciding to do Peace Corps, how God has been using this opportunity to mold me and change me into what He wants me to be, and sharing with others how I will be serving the people in Nicaragua.  This was exciting for me to talk about it, but what was more exciting was when my family and friends joined me on the stage and prayed over me and my journey.  What an incredible feeling and I could not restrain my tears.  Some people from church came up to me after the service and told me that they would be praying for me.  Knowing that God will be watching over me is wonderful, but also hearing how He calls His people to be obedient and care for others is a beautiful work in itself. 

I had my going away party Sunday afternoon/evening and it was just another blessing.  So many friends and family came and spent time together eating food, chatting, and adding scrapbook pages to my book.  It wasn't at all sad because there was so much joy there.  I was so happy to just be together with people who have been such a big support in my life.  I cannot fully express how thankful I am to everyone who has prayed for me, encouraged me, and inspired me.  I hope that I will do great work for the Lord and serve His people well.

Countdown Update...

Nicaragua in 11 days!

P.S. The first blog I wrote on here back in May began my countdown at 111 days.  Those 100 days have flown by so fast!  Can't believe I'm under 2 weeks!!

Camping

Just got back from my last family camping trip for awhile.  We went up to our usual place on the McKenzie Pass where the water flows ice cold straight from the mountains.  I love camping and hiking and we made sure to do some fishing too :)  It was a bummer that my brother couldn't join us, but I had a great time with my parents, and my grandparents visited and fished with us one afternoon.  The hot weather and bugs foreshadowed what will come in Nicaragua...

Here are some pictures from the trip.  We decided to hike a different trail than usual, so that was fun.