It's Tuesday morning, I'm up and ready to start my last day at home. There's still so much to do before I leave, it's hard to process it all. I wanted to make sure I got my blog started though, and get it emailed to everyone. Yesterday was my birthday but with all that is going on I kept forgetting about it. But my family didn't--we had dinner together and a Baskin Robbins ice cream cake. It was great! We really celebrated it last weekend at my big going away and b-day party with all the family and friends. That was an amazing evening. Even though I knew I was loved, I didn't realize how much I was loved. Talk about counting your blessings...when they are all at your house in front of you! :) Sometimes it takes something like that to wake you up the the blessed life you have.

I have so many thoughts in my head right now, and yet I can't thing of anything to say. It's an emotional and exciting time for me. I'm glad the waiting is almost over and I'll get to meet all my fellow volunteers soon. But of course I wish I had a few more days with my family and friends.

I'll leave you all with a little posting I wrote late after my farewell party. I think it pretty well sums up how I feel at the moment and how I want to leave for my adventure.


"Tonight my family had a going away party for me. We invited a ton of people, friends and family. I've been getting nervous about going into the Peace Corps because it is such an extreme adventure to pursue. But after tonight, after seeing over 100 people that came to say "bye" to me, after reflecting on all of the miles people drove to see me, the hours spent in traffic just to spend a few moments with me before I leave, I realize that I have nothing to fear at all. God has a purpose for my life and each person that came tonight is part of my purpose. They are God's love in my life and they are my strength to go on. I saw tonight that God is on my side and is guiding me in this adventure. And if God is with me, who or what could I be afraid of? Nothing! I'm going to Ukraine to teach English and change the world. The changing the world part may not be on my job description, but that's what I plan on doing. And I know it can happen. I've never been more humbled and encouraged by an experience like I was tonight. Thank you to all my friends that have encouraged me in my life, to follow my passions and to be myself. I have such a blessed life because of you."

Grace and Peace,
Britt