Trying to make dreams come true...

I want to go to Africa.

On a missions trip.

And I'm determined to make it happen.

I have always had a strong desire to go on a mission trip.

When I was in high school, and was debating colleges, 

I knew that if I ended up at a christian college,

The only thing I would have any desire to major in would be missions.

For better or worse, I didn't end up at a Christian college or majoring in missions,

but it is a passion that I still have, deep down.

I think taking on our new Compassion child, Emmanuel, has lit a fire under that desire.

Other married women my age have baby fever.

I have Africa fever. 

Look at this handsome little 3 year old face.

There are millions like him, and if I could help even a few more, 

it would be worth it. 

So, I've decided I don't just want to dream about it anymore.

So, I talked to Jamie last night, 

and we are going to try and find the best route to doing a 2-4 week trip to Africa in the summer of 2012.

I have looked at many organizations that allow you to take trips with them.

Jamie thinks we should look into finding a church to sponsor us.

In all honesty, we are flying blind, we don't know much about this.

But I trust that we can make it happen.

I want this so bad. 

I don't want the craziness of our lives to interfere.

And I want to go to Africa, and make a difference.

♥

"You're just to good to be true..."

I had an awesome birthday at Howl at the Moon last night!

Guess who got called on stage and serenaded for her birthday?

Yup. This girl.  

It was awesome. I requested "Can't take my eyes off of you" by Frankie Valli, and wrote on the request that it was my birthday.

He said "This is too good of a song to not sing to someone. Julie, come on up!"

It was seriously cool.

Today was Thanksgiving, and it was actually really good.

We went to Jamie's aunt and uncle's in Rockville, and then back to my grandparent's in Jamestown.

Despite the crazy running around (and the fact that I was not feeling so great for the first half of the day), it all went really well. 

It was the first holiday that I have really enjoyed in a while.

And now Jamie and I are hanging out and watching Avatar for the first time. 

At midnight, I am going to Walmart, because they have a 40-piece set of rubbermaid tupperware for $9.

Woah.

I have to have it.

But, that's the only real Black Friday shopping that I am doing.

Oh yeah, except that after work tomorrow, my mom is taking me to Teavana for my birthday.

Excited!

Oh, and I forgot to mention yesterday what Jamie gave me for my present.

I have been sponsoring a little girl named Rosa through Compassion International since I was 16.  

She is a (now) 10 year old girl, who lives with her grandmother in poverty in Equador. Her parents were never married, and her grandmother is only employed seasonally.

I can honestly say that it is one of the most rewarding things I have ever done.

Compassion is a Christian program,  that not only gives good food, medical care, and education to over 1 million children in 26 countries, but it also gives them Christian teaching, Bible education, and teaches them to love God.  One of the coolest things about compassion is that you get to send and receive letters from your child, and they tell you about their lives, and ask about yours.  You can send pictures, stickers, coloring pages, and anything that will fit into a flat envelope. 

Rosa often sends me letters telling me that she is really trying in school. I love that, because I know that even though she may not be the best student, because of me, she is trying, and has opportunities to succeed.

Well, for my birthday, Jamie agreed that we could take on a second child.  I have been wanting it for a while, but the finances just weren't there. But, now that I am working more, we are able to do it. So, yesterday, I chose a little boy named Emmanuel.

He is 3, and lives in an AIDS affected area of Kenya.  He lives with his mother and one sibling, and his father is deceased.  I am not sure if it is because of AIDS or war, but I am so excited to give him a chance to learn about God, and provide solid meals, medical care, and an education to him.  I felt that his name was so very fitting, because it is God that has given me the ability to help him.

I am so happy to be his sponsor, and I am so excited to get his packet of information, and be able to send him a letter and pictures.

I have to say, it's been a really great couple of days.

I will leave you with a link to Compassion, in case you want to check it out.

♥