First post of this year? I'm not much of a blogger

Hopefully if you are in my life you have been updated by me personally on the twists & turns my journey has taken me down, but let's review... * After my trip to Belize last year I spent a month terribly sick. It turns out I had e.coli, along with some other Third-World Mystery Bacteria. After lots of labwork, a CT scan & a colonoscopy, I got a large dose of some serious anti-biotics and everything cleared up. Trips to the doctor are never simple for me - they keep finding more stuff wrong with me. It kind of makes me want to avoid doctor's entirely. (I have conflict-avoidance issues, clearly.) During this process it was discovered that I have ovarian cysts. While painful, they aren't serious enough to surgically remove, so I'm thankful for that. * I was able to spend Christmas at home with my family for the first time in several years. So fun! *In the beginning of February I converted my friends to Packer Fans!*At the end of February one of my favorite Germans - Jonny Ax - came to the U.S. for a visit. We served in PNG together 2008-'09 and have been trying to make plans to see each other again ever since. We went to the beach, visited State parks, went to a Strawberry Festival (where we introduced him to the wonders of fried foods & chocolate covered bacon), and spent a day at Universal Studios. It was great to be reunited and have fun together. In PNG we didn't have the freedom or opportunity to do much besides work together, so this was a refreshing change!

A day at the beachFlorida Strawberry FestivalManatee at Blue Springs State Park

*Now I'm in the process of applying to the New Tribes Bible Institute in Waukesha, WI. I have everything done except the Physical form (thanks, once again, to multiple trips to the doctor & more lab work being ordered. My stupid body is just falling apart! I can't wait for Heaven). I'm planning to leave Florida on August 11th, meeting up with my family in Alabama on the 12th (for my Aunt & Uncle's 40th anniversary party), and arriving in Wisconsin some time around the 16th or 17th. I found a place to live just a couple of blocks away from the campus. And I'm very excited to be starting the Bible School with a couple of Interface Alumni that I've known in Papua New Guinea! We're all very excited to go through the training together, and hope to serve overseas together at some point too! That's if for logistics right now. Up next will be a long blog all about my emotions & thoughts these last few months. YES! I know you all can't wait! "Fretting springs from a determination to get our own way!" ~ Oswald Chambers