Discovered by the Germans in 1904, they named it San Diago, which of course in German means...

I'M GOING TO SAN DIEGO FOR THE SUMMER!!!!!!!!!!! AGHHH!!! =] Typing does NOT enable me to fully express how ridiculously excited I am to be spending my summer in such a beautiful city. After a fabulous day of gallivanting around the zoo, I got home, packed (it took me an hour....i'm pretty sure that's a new record for long-term packing) and am now FLIPPING EXCITED TO GO! I told you this would happen, didn't I now? =]

Of course there are still some loose ends to tie up. I still need about $600 to have my trip fully paid for and I'm STILL looking for a job (although I do at least have one interview). So, prayers are hitting the roof right now as I attempt to stop stressing and let go of control for a bit. I know God fully knows my needs in this and has a plan for where I'm supposed to be, I've just got to chill out and learn to listen. He's already gotten me this far, right? I mean, I've gotten so much more fundraising support than I thought I would, I'm going on a mission trip I wasn't even considering until January, and i'm in a much better place spiritually at this very moment than I was even 2 days ago. I can barely wrap my mind around how GREAT of a God it takes to be able to use even the last moments before a new adventure in life to work in me and prepare my heart.

So, even with the intermittent stress, I cannot wait to get to San Diego tomorrow and begin getting to know the people i'll be living and working with for the next two months. As Gary Allan would say: "life ain't always beautiful, but it's a beautiful ride."=]

 Jeremiah 29:11

And so it begins...

So here I sit, enjoying the hilarity of MacGruber counterbalanced with the sad insanity of Shutter Island and it still hasn't quite hit that in a little over 48 hours i'll be leaving to start the adventure of a lifetime.

I have NEVER been the type of person to say no to an adventure, and this summer is no exception. I'm getting to spend the summer in one of my favorite places in the world while getting to grow stronger in my faith and meet tons of new people. This mission trip is everything I could possibly want out of an adventure. I'm going to a city I've never been able to fully explore, getting the chance to dive into a group where I won't know anyone, strengthen my faith in unknown ways and last but not least, share the love I passionately believe in with other people.

It's going to be fabulous; but, it hasn't quite hit me yet. Perhaps it's because i'm staying within the U.S., perhaps it's because i'm going somewhere I've been before, or perhaps it's because I have no idea what's in store over the next ten weeks. Whatever the reason behind my current indifference towards the trip, I know that when I finally get my life together i'll realize how insanely life changing this trip is going to be.

I still have a few more days of hanging out home with my family and friends before i'm off on this ridiculous adventure, and i'm sure at some point i'll realize how crazy it is that i'm getting the chance to do this. And i'll be sure to update you all when that happens. (Most likely, the night before when i start flipping out in excitement). But, until then i'll let you enjoy the oh so overwhelming suspense =]

السلام عليكم