t-minus...

24 hours from now I will be stepping onto a plane and beginning my trek up to Chicago for Training Camp. Last night I got everything packed into my blue pack...and it looks like it all fits. Well, except for my little blue pillow and random toiletries, but I'm sure I can squeeze that in somewhere. I'm so glad I'm a pro at packing. lol

btw...all mailing info has been updated on the facebook group. so check that out if you want to send me precious mail. :)

All my support for my trip has come in!!! This is a big deal people...I really didn't know if I'd be able to raise the $3,500 I would need. God totally provided in big ways. I'm still waiting to see if I can get extra for my domestic plane tickets, but I have my actual trip taken care of. I'm so stoked about that. It takes a huge weight off my shoulders. God really is the only one who can get any credit...it definitely wasn't because of anything I did.

I have so much on my mind. That may have been why I couldn't go to sleep for the longest time last night. I finally just had to force myself to sleep. I'm kinda nervous I'm gonna forget to pack something, or something important that has to be done before I leave. But all I can do is what I remember. So hopefully that's good enough.

Well, I should get out of bed and begin to accomplish things today. The next thing on here will probably be something like a trip recap.

Cheers!

-Erika

let the countdown begin

I leave for my summer mission's trip in exactly one week.  Actually by now I'd be in the air on my way to Chicago for Training Camp.  I'm excited...and nervous...and pretty much all emotions actually.

I am still waiting to hear from (at least) two churches about financial support and also numerous people that I've sent letters to.  I'm actually going to send out some more letters today, bringing my grand total close to (or maybe even over) 100 support letters sent out.  I'm praying that people would receive them, and quickly realize that they should support me this summer.  :)  It's definitely forcing me to trust God completely with this trip right now, since I still need quite a bit of money.  He can do anything...I'm confident of that!

The pile of things on my couch keeps growing as I gather things and make trips to Wal-Mart.  Everything is getting labeled, organized, and packed into Ziplock bags...and eventually into my blue pack (aka large duffel bag..with room left for Garrett and Brian.  lol).  I feel a lot more prepared with knowing what/what not to bring with this being my third summer involved in Royal Servants.  

I got pictures printed off yesterday so that I can have reminders of my lovely family and friends from back home.  Since a lot of them are college friends...it's even making me think of good times and miss them now...and I haven't even left home yet!  :)  I'm also armed with my stack of envelopes and stamps so I can write letters to people.  Now I just need to collect addresses.  People don't realize how much getting a letter means while you're gone from home for this long.  It's like...finding a $100 bill on the ground, or biting into a donut and finding a diamond ring, or jumping in the rain puddles...basically it's awesome.  :)  So people...send me mail.  The address is on my Ireland trip facebook group or you can just message me for it.

On a different note...is it bad that I've grown accustomed to holding people to low standards so that I'm not as disappointed when they let me down?  :-\  I don't want to assume the worst in people...and I rarely do, but sometimes I get tired of people letting me down and feeling disappointed, even when it's just with little things.  I'm sure I've done it to people plenty of times myself...and that's why grace and forgiveness are such beautiful things.  :)  mmhmm...

Anyway, back to cleaning my room and generally being productive.  

-erika

to my parents...

Happy 25th Wedding Anniversary!

So even though I've only been around 20 of my parent's 25 years of wedded bliss, I can assure you that they're quite happily still in love.  It's really quite precious actually.  Sure, they still have their moments of "marriage readjustment" discussions (not arguments...) and stuff like that, but in the end love wins out.  A singular focus on Christ is evident, and they really do everything they can to express individual love to each of us kids.

So here's to the matching hairstyles, weird senses of humor, and love of 25 years.  *toasts*  Love ya Dad and Mom!!!

-erika

Happy June!

Well it's a new month.

Cool.

White rabbit to those who play that game.  :)

12 days 'til I leave for Ireland.  God is providing!!!  Keep praying!!!

On a more random note...I'm really over people's obsessions with Twilight, High School Musical, Hannah Montana, etc...  I just don't get it.  Oh well.  :-/

'til later.

-erika