New Year, New...well, basically everything.

*sigh!*
Life's been so crazy lately.
For the most part it's been a pretty good few weeks since I wrote last.

The youth pastor here asked Katie and I to help out with the youth overnighter. I had a BLAST. It was really fun! I'm developing a new love for teens (who aren't related to me, of course). I'm thankful to Darryl and Joey (and Jon!) for cultivating it! I love feeling like I'm helping! I know it's weird, but it's been a tested spiritual gift of mine! It was the my first overnighter...like in my whole life! ...and I survived! We had a video scavenger hunt and played games all night so we weren't tempted to sleep. I came home really sore and a little bruised (we played a game kinda like capture the flag in the dark sunday school classrooms).
My Sunday School class is GREAT! My teachers are like geniuses...no exaggeration. One invented the first PC and sold it to a friend who sold it to Bill Gates. It's in the Smithsonian! And our other teacher is a military man, a university professor...and a rancher! (I saw him at TSC one day!) Anyways, we just finished studying the book of James and I learned SO MUCH! I love studies where we just dissect passages of the bible, because 1.) I learn so much, and 2.) I get so motivated to go home and learn more. And I think that's what a good teacher does, whets your appetite so you WANT to go learn on your own.

The weekend after Christmas we went to the Coast. It was so fun! I could only go for a day because I had to work the next day. The weather was pretty nice and my cousin came and taught us how to surf and skim board...I didn't try surfing this time, though. It was super fun, until my cousin's friend had a severe allergic reaction and the ambulance came and took them away. She was okay though.

I'm still waiting on my VISA. I drove to Houston last week to get it and they were closed. Argh! Who would have thought that the Bolivian Consulate would be closed for TWO WEEKS for New Years and Christmas. Well, they are. So I have to go back this Thursday--As if I have no better way to spend my days and money! ...So PRAY that I get it this time!
I still love my job. I think I just might cry when I leave.
It breaks my heart to think of leaving my family for a whole year. In fact I just can't think of it very much or I get very very sad.
I miss Ohio, and can't wait to go back and visit.
I'm still (most of the time except when I'm sad about leaving here) super excited about going to Bolivia. I have heard from two of the interns who are currently there.
I got my plane ticket! That's when it started to hit home...
I got an i-pod which should make the 12 hour plane ride and 3 hour layover go a little faster. I also have 3 1/2 blank journals and a backpack full of books (the missionary said English books and literature are difficult to come by over there.)

Pray that I sell my car too! I'd like to have it sold by the time I leave.
Well, I guess that's all for now.
Keep on keeping on, y'all!
Love.
Kristen