Up, Up and Away!!!!

The time of departure has finally arrived!! I have had plenty of time to pack and get everything ready, but now that it has come down to crunch time, I feel like my head is about to pop! My sister and her husband have been here this week for Christmas, so they have both been incredibly helpful! My sister, Carrie, spent 6 months in Quito as well, so has had a bunch of great advice! Carrie and her husband, Mark, just had their first baby a month ago and are incredibly sleep deprived, but stayed up with me tonight until everything was packed and all my questions were answered. Carrie kept asking if there was anything else I could think of before she went to bed. I have been just so grateful for how everything has come together and how much reassurance that this is the plan God has for me. My mom has been really supportive through this whole planning process, but when she found out that Margarita (my cousin-in-law) lives (and where I will be living as well) within walking distance to where I will be working with Inca Link, she was completely sold that Someone is behind all this! ;)

Here is a picture of my sister and I after I finished packing up my pack. It weighs about 50 pounds and about pulls me over backwards if I don't stand with my feet apart in an attempt to balance the extra weight!





I included a sweet picture of my nephew, Cody. He has just been my sweet little bug in a rug this week! I knew that if anyone handed him to me to hold, I wouldn't get anything done for a few hours! We had a lot of bonding time this week, and it's going to be hard to say goodbye to him in the morning! My sister is trying to convince me to go spend a few months in Seattle with them when I get back from Ecuador to babysit for them all the time. It's a rather tempting offer! :) At least for now until then I will be able to see him grow over Skype.


The picture below is of Cody sleeping in a little baby chair that my grandpa made for my dad when he was a baby, and Murphy, Cody's guard dog. Being that Cody is the first baby in the family, no one knew how a big, rowdy, 3 year old Labrador would handle a baby. Everyone seemed to think Murpy would attack him or chew him up. Murphy can be rather rambunctious, but I was never worried about it. I just figured he would want to sniff him, give him a few kisses, and would settle down. Well, once I had Cody to myself (hehe) I just left Murphy do his thing and didn't shoo him away. I set Cody on my bed and found that Murphy just wanted to snuggle up next to him. :) While Cody was sleeping, he started making his little baby sounds. I didn't jump or go check on him since he wasn't crying, so Murphy decided to go across the hall and lure my dad over to check on Cody. Once he had my dad's attention, he hopped up on the bed layed down next to the baby. Later, when Cody actually started to cry, Murphy came running at full speed up the stairs and perched himself, very proudly, next to the baby chair and Cody waiting for someone to come and check on him. Carrie and Mark have come to appreciate Murphy attention and protection to their little Cody.

I awoke this morning to Murphy laying right beside me with his paw directly in the middle of my forehead. I asked him if he was laying his paws on me and praying since he knew I was leaving for Ecuador soon. Then he just snuggled up next to me, nose to nose. :) He has been following me around everywhere knowing that something is happening. It was reassuring to know that my little pooch has me in his prayers too! haha!! :)

Well, I better head to bed! Gotta get up early to catch a plane!! Love you all!!! :) Any prayers and encouragement are very much appreciated! I'm sure the first few months are going to be a challenging adjustment. OH!! I almost forgot to tell you all!! My dear friend, Laura, has booked her flight and will be coming to visit me and serve as well at the end of February into the beginning of March. She is also raising funds if you are interested in supporting her!

...and my head doesn't feel like it's going to pop anymore ;) Everything is set, packed and ready to go!!

"I am leaving you with a gift--peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give isn't like the peace the world gives. So don't be troubled or afraid" John 14:27