...I left America for this crazy adventure.

One year ago, I got out of bed while it was still dark out, heart pounding like crazy, ready

to face this day. I got a glimpse of what my back was going to go through as I carried my giant pack down the stairs and to the car. I proceeded to have my last taste of Wawa as we headed to the Philadelphia airport. I sat with my little princess, Rhino, all the way to the airport. I realized my back duffle was left behind at home (giant bag to hold my backpack to prevent it from getting rips and tears). I said goodbye to my Mom and youngest sister, without shedding a tear. I got lots of hugs, kisses, and tears on me from my Mom. I listened to Elissa say as many sentences as she could possibly say ending with "hoe" because she wanted that to be her last word to me. After going through security, I excitedly walked to my terminal to start this new chapter of my life.

It was so hard for me to be sad about leaving America, my friends, and my family because I love Jesus so much and I knew this is what He needed me to do. I was so excited for what my Father was going to do and I was ready to change the world with Him.

Looking back, I still think these feelings are justifiable. This trip was clearly what the Lord needed me to do. I was so wrapped up in His love that nothing mattered except following Him. I wasn't about to walk, I was about to run after Him and win this race!

I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me-the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace. -Acts 20:24

One year ago, I arrived in Southern, like REALLY southern, Texas and was ready to cross over into Mexico. I saw Immigration Patrol vans all over the place. I anxiously sat in a beat up white van as we drove closer and closer to the America/Mexico border. As we neared the Rio Grande River I was convinced we were going to be thrown out of the vans with our packs and told to cross the river into Mexico...that didn't happen.

When we crossed the border, it was drastically different. Dirt everywhere, no grass. No modern buildings, just incomplete buildings made out of cinder blocks. As we neared the Gateway, we all were in danger of bumping our heads on the ceiling of the van because of how bumpy it was. There were lots of small 1 or 2 room wood shacks scattered along the road with chipping paint, or every color you could imagine, on the walls. It seemed like there was cows, chickens, and pregnant dogs everywhere.

That night we had some amazing tacos and got settled into our dorms. We all scavenged to try to find the least itchy, smelly, and pee stained mattress to sleep on...even though we slept on top of our sleeping mats.

I then went to wash up in the bathroom, to find that we can't flush toilet paper down the

toilet, our shower pressure was more like a dribble, the only thing protecting us from being seen going to the bathroom or showering was a too-small shower curtain, and the mirrors were more like shiny metal. Oh yeah, and the water smelled like rotten eggs.

...So this is just a glimpse of what my first day was like. This is such a landmark for me, reaching the one year anniversary of leaving for my trip. This marks when my life officially began to fall apart and reform with Christ's. This is when my chains were broken, and I was set free. This is when true beauty and identity was released. Starting today, I plan to bounce between a series of "One year ago, today" blogs and current blogs.

One request from you...

Some of you may not know me well enough to answer this question, but if you would take the time to do this it would mean a lot to me- Could you please tell me, via blog comment, the way(s) you have seen me change since going on this trip. I can't pinpoint certain things and would love to see what you have to say, and it would be so encouraging!

Thank you :)