May Angels Lead You In

Well, Today involved a lot of reflecting. I was just told that my grandma has less than a week to live. Her lungs are slowly filling up with fluids and she sleeps all the time. She is an amazing woman. She never really knew me because of her memory, but she still didnt hesitate to hit me with her cane when she wanted my attention or yell at me in Dutch if I was showing too much skin. She is a strong woman of faith and I look up to her. It couldnt have been easy coming to Canada as a young mother of two and then have 5 more kids. She raised her children well and we all love her very much. My last day with her was awesome. I was lucky enough to see her about a month ago when I was up in Houston. We spent the day together knitting, looking through old albums of when her kids were young, and reading her birthday cards. Because of her memory, she read her two birthday cards that I gave to her for about 2 hours straight, over and over again. I love sitting there and watching her get excitement out of the cards every 5 minutes. She has everything to be proud of. 7 kids, too many grandkids to count and even more great-grandchildren. She is 92 years old and until now, has been happy and healthy. Grandma, May angels lead you in.

This picture was taken by my grandma of my grandpa. I love it because it just captures him doing his own thing, with mans best friend right beside him.

52 Days and Counting...

Sorry I haven't blogged in a while. Things here have been going good I guess. With only 52 days until I board a plane for Dallas, then eventually to Lusaka, things are coming together nicely. This past Tuesday I had to get all my shots. I am good with needles and such but apparently my body didnt like them. I had 6 shots total, 3 in each arm. I had to go straight to work after getting my shots which was probably an interesting sight since I could barely move my arms and my boss can barely walk because she is in so much pain from getting in a car accident last weekend. My arms are finally feeling better and my migraines are going away. Today I went to Metrotown where I was reminded how much I hate crowded places where people walk very slowly infront of you. It was definitly a test of my patience. I want to see you all before I go on my trip so I am hoping that we can do something late December or early January before everyone goes back to school and what not. Let me know what all works best for all of ya. I still can't believe that I am living out my dream. I hope one day all of you, if you haven't already, will live out yours as well. Dream Big!

*Don't you just want to curl up in your pj's, have a friend over and watch a movie... it's one of those nights. Miss ya Ashley!

Home Sweet Home

Hey Everyone! So I found out the final dates of my trip. I leave January 17 when I will head to Dallas, Texas for orientation for a few days. Once in Dallas I will meet up with the director of Every Orphans Hope, the organization I will be down there with. From there I will head to London, switch airports and then I am off to Lusaka, my home sweet home for six months. I will be living under a mosquito net, covered in repellant and sunscreen, trying to prevent getting deathly ill. I can't wait! Yes there will be down sides to the trip, but I think all the good things will over take the bad. I am super excited to go, its a dream come true. I come home June 19th... I hope to see you all at the airport!

Not Much New...

There isnt too much new going on with my life right now. I was choked because there was no volleyball tonight. All Langley schools have the week off or something for a "Fall Break" whatever thats supposed to mean. They just had a strike and now there is another week off. Ridiculous really. I have been working the last few days like normal. Tomorrow I have to receive like a shipment of 30 boxes... guranteed to take up most of my day since the mall is so incredibly busy, even in the early week. My Uncle John is coming over tomorrow from Houston. Should be good to see him again. He is parking his truck here while is goes on an Alaskan cruise for a week or so. I am proud of him that he is doing good since its only been about 3 months since my aunt passed away. He has already been to Toronto and now a cruise. Good for him. Oh, he also got himself a puppy to keep him company at home. Thats about all that is going on right now. Wednesday I will be at school all day helping out with volleyball... oh how it brings me back! I shall be off. See ya!
PS: Remember the last day of highschool!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Trip Confirmed

Well, I just found out that my trip to Zambia is a for sure thing. I am so excited as I know that this is what I am supposed to do with my life. I am leaving in mid January and will come back in June. I will be going down there by myself and will meet up with Gary Schneider, director of Every Orphans Hope. I will be working as an intern under Gary and his wife Martha in an AIDS orphanage. There are many emotions going on right now, but I know that everything will work out for the best and I will have the trip of my life. I will post the date when I am leaving for sure once I find out! Have a good one!