Feelings.

As my junior year comes to a close I look back at a tedious yet rewarding year of school. I am so thankful for the friends I have made and the obstacles and experiences I have been a part of this year. I am truly blessed. I am happy to say that I can now focus on my next step in my life and influencing the lives in Africa. I am less than a month away from boarding the plane and flying over seas. This time in one month I will living in Senegal. How surreal!

A couple nights ago I sat and talked with a friend about recent feelings. Feelings of uncertainty and change and ultimately following her heart with a tough decision. Throughout the conversation we began talking about exciting things coming up in our lives, trips and adventure will take us out of the Kalamazoo bubble and expand and provide many great opportunities for personal growth. She began to talk about a trip she used to take all the time and a couple years ago stopped taking, she plans to go back on the trip this summer. This brought up more conversation of course and more thinking in this noggin of mine. Throughout the whole conversation she told me this bible verse:

"Be still and know that I am God."
--Psalm 46:10

Last night I was still and began to feel an overwhelming gratitude for myself for allowing myself to let down a guard and really put myself out there in regards to traveling abroad. I have been so humbled and blessed by all the kind words from all of you and support from you all. It is quite amazing to me what a community of loved ones can do when asked. For that, I am forever grateful.

I have never doubted my will to travel to Africa and that brings comfort while I begin to prepare more and more for my trip.I am so thankful that I will still in times of questioning and concern to know wholeheartedly that this trip is something I am supposed to do and will benefit greatly from. I find myself leaning on others and myself to continue to build up my confidence in letting go and taking this trip for what it is worth. All types of emotions and feelings have been taking me over but I know that I am doing the right thing.

So thanks to you my dear friend for having a chat with me the other night, and to all of you who have asked questions, sent prayers, and become my support system along this journey. You have all helped mold me into who I am and have made my heart so strong for a good cause. 

Keep sending the prayers and love && I will start to write more updates more regularly and this I promise!

Be still.

-- Kate

Official!

Not that I ever doubted it but I can officially say that I AM GOING TO AFRICA!!! I had my vaccinations appointment this week Tuesday where I spent t w o hours with the travel nurse to go over the ins and out of traveling to Dakar. It was highly educational and informative...Her direct quote "if you can travel to Dakar you can travel any where in the world." What is that supposed to mean?! However, moving on...

I  had to have four shots on Tuesday two in the left, two in the right arm....YAHOO! And for those of you who know me oh so well I received by Malaria pills (that will be a fun time). Let me tell you two of them really hurt!!! Minor side effects though  just a headache for two days and was exhausted! OH and I couldn't really move my arms, but I would rather be safe than sorry. Overall I learned that I need to be very careful while I'm over there from the water to the food to those darn mosquitoes!!!! Now that all the nitty gritty details are done its time to start working on their culture and the etiquette we need to work on and have a couple language lessons. I also will need to begin packing and finding appropriate clothes. Senegal is v e r y conservative and women need to dress as such, so I am on the hunt for long skirts and three quarter length shirts, all of which I would prefer were cotton (cooler). I will be thrifting for these items and washing them in protective mosquito spray and giving them away to the local community before I leave. This way I will hopefully protect a woman there for a couple weeks while the bug spray embedded in my clothes is still useful. Also I would like to pay it forward!

That is my lastest update, I am getting very anxious and excited! However, I am much more excited for the wedding weekend than anything at this point!!! Happy thoughts!!

Thanks for all the support!!

the small things.

First and foremost I would like to say how humbling and moving it is to receive such kind words of encouragement and support as I get very close to my adventure. To start this post I started a list of things things that have moved or inspired me this past week, I think I am taking on a new motto to life 'enjoy the small things' along with my others 'keep calm and carry on' and oh so many more [I love quotes]!

1. The sunshine I never realized how happy the sun can make me until this past week immersed in it! I loved running in it, anything but snow!
2.  My co-hort is literally my backbone right now, without them I would be nothing at this point, thank you to all who fill in the blank and check my work to make sure it's looking good and thanks to Megan for sitting down with me after class over a drink to chat about everything (cannot wait to live together). I have met a great bunch of future teachers out of you all!
3. I'm thankful for laughter it really is the best medicine whether I make myself laugh or others around me I am so beyond thankful for that--- if you have any jokes send them this way!!
4. My little gremlins I am thankful for them they are just so perfect and so funny!!! I am looking forward to spending my summer with them and welcoming the third after my trip!
5. coffee & home-cooked meals---yet again I am sitting in a coffee shop drinking coffee blogging and working on school work, and have a freezer full of food. This semester has been so hectic I have a hard time making trips home luckily I have a piece of home here in Kalamazoo. Thank you mom!!!
6. Wedding Bliss! Cannot wait until April 21 the wedding prep is all coming together so nicely!! YAY love!
7. Friends. I was able to catch up with Kellie who is also going to Africa in May and it was nice to share stories and advice and overall catch up on life.
8. Mountain bike trails--- I ventured on a ten mile trail this weekend and despite the pain I felt at miles 6-10 the trail was so breathtaking and beautiful and it wasn't until I was at mile 8 that I finally gave up feeling my pain and actually soaked up the trail and just enjoy the beauty and sounds of nature to its full extent!
9. Running it is a great stress reliever and oh so good for the soul!
10. Sleep. I wish some days I could turn my brain off and enjoy it this past weekend I was able to not think of homework and sleep and wake to a soothing alarm that meant the day could hold whatever adventures I wanted and it held the key to not having to worry about anything until Monday---that is a weekend if you ask me!

Overall advice--regardless of what week may bring your way and whatever hurdles you may have to jump, take time to enjoy the small things.  

I booked my flight on March 26 which is TWO months before I leave! Did not do that on purpose however like much of this journey has been I believe that every thing is happening for a reason and a purpose. I have also made my appointment for my vaccinations which is happening on April 10 at 10 am! Life holds the funniest things in it and I am thankful for those little things, they really add a spice to life! I have been experiencing a roller coaster of emotions in regards to this trip, they say it is normal however I am still caught off guard some days by the enormity of this whole thing. I cannot believe that in a little under two months I will immersed in a different culture and will be learning, g r o w i n g and changing! While some days I am trembling in fear, most days I jump for joy in excitement. I have no idea what exactly I am getting myself into, however I think that is exactly what I need, I need to stretch myself and expand to see what I am truly capable of and learn from others in Africa!

Thank you for those who continue to support and encourage me, you all are what are pushing me towards a life changing and once in a lifetime opportunity! I am so moved by your messages and humbled to know how loved and supported I am.

Hoping to post more often, however April is looking beautifully busy!!