Sunday @ Midnite

It is exactly one hour past my planned bedtime and my thoughts, mind and heart are racing. This could be due to the medium, although I consider it super-grande, sweet tea I drank from Bojangles @ 830pm or the pending adventures that are racing through my mind. Either way I decided to take this opportunity and energy to create a blog for the journey I am preparing for. I must say that i am particularly excited about many things going on or about to happen in my life such as my renewed passion for Jesus, the finding of an awesome Charlotte church and the acceptance of a life-changing job in Madrin this coming fall. I am equally excited about all and cannot wait to see where these roads will take me. I know I have many lessons to learn and am eager to see what God has in store for me. I must say that God is in control and always was. Even when I was angry with him and did my best to shut him out he always had a plan and for this I am grateful.

Blogging is new to me and I am excited to share my many intricate thoughts, feelings, hopes, dreams and fears with any and all who care to listen. Thank you for your interest in my journey. I look forward to receiving your feedback and support. I cannot say what a blessing my recent job loss has been. It freed me from a position that I felt I "should" love, but was not cut out for. While I continue my work with the Make-A-Wish Foundation on a volunteer basis, I am grateful to have this opportunity to pursue other passions. I am also grateful that at this time those passions include caring for, loving on and teaching children. Currently I am a nanny in Fort Mill, SC and look forward to taking my love of children abroad when I become an Au Pair in the Fall of 09.

As of now, the details are still being finalized. I have committed to a family of 5 outside of Madrid in a town known as Majadahonda. I will be living with the family and caring for the children for one year while using my free time and vacations to travel and learn the language. I am blessed that 2 of my oldest friends, Maggie and Kristin, will be in and around Spain at the same time. I know this will be a great remedy for any possible homesickness I may encounter. As of now, I have now fears to speak of but I also realize my trip is months away and only in the planning stages. Many fears have been unable to develop because of the ease at which this trip/experience is coming together. I will be taking over for Erica Cardillo, a former high school classmate. She has been working as this family's au pair for a month and has nothing but wonderful things to say about her experience. I pray that God will continue to manage my fears and give me the courage to look them all in the face. My plan for the next 4 months is to improve my Spanish to a conversational level. I beleive I will feel much less isolated if I can communicate my needs and opinions and understand what is going on around me on a basic level. I am thrilled at this opportunity to become fluent in such a broadly used language. I must say, at this time everything just feels right. Please pray for my continued safety and enthusiasm on my journey. Pray that I find a loving supportive Christian community for me on the otherside and that a find a good balance of work and play.

Besos