Japan, the land of perpetual eating.

I had the wonderful opportunity to go to Japan and spend Christmas with my brother Hayden. Hayden is stationed in Okinawa and happened to have 96 hours off for Christmas! So I booked my ticket, praying the Marines would not drastically change it's mind, and flew 30 hours to see my sweet brother.  The traveling was longer to Japan but the cost was half as much as it is to get to the states. Thankfully.

Our Christmas feast!

In Okinawa we celebrated Christmas on the beach. We ate, drank, played games, ate, shopped, ate, went to the aquarium and ate some more. It was wonderful. A wonderful vacation with one of my favorite people in the world.
It's strange to live this life where I see my family so little. The last time I saw Hayden was in July and he was not yet engaged. The next time I see Hayden will be for his wedding. So strange how much you miss when you are on the field. Which is one of the reasons I jumped at spending Christmas with Hayden. Here are a few things we did. :)

On Christmas Morning we woke up just in time for our church's Eve Service. Beautiful way to wake up!

Our view from our balcony. Amazing. And WARM!!!

Best sushi I have ever had. 

One of the many SOBAs (soup)

We ate so much!!!

Visited a butterfly farm!

I thought I was snow white. ;)

We saw some really cool animals!

I've been sick...

I've been sick. Really sick. We have had lots going on with Daughters of Bulgaria and I have had to do them while being sick all week. Which meant...my new apartment has been filled with boxes and nothing has really been unpacked except the kitchen. And I am hosting our team's christmas party this Thursday. Needless to say, I was a bit stressed and unmotivated.

Yesterday my dear friends, my sisters, blessed me. They came to my apartment. They unpacked my boxes. Rearranged the furniture. Decorated my room. Cleaned my living room. And decorated the whole apartment for Christmas. 

My friends have a gift for 'nesting' and 'decorating'. They not only unpacked and cleaned but they made my apartment look beautiful. 

Sometimes I listen to the lies that are in my head. "You are alone". "You have to do this by yourself." "No one cares about you." "If you were normal you would have a man to help you." Bla Bla Bla...BUT then the Lord chimes in and reminds me that not only am I not alone because He is here with me, but He has also given me a beautiful family here that loves me and takes such sweet care of me! I am truly blessed by them and would not trade a single one of them for anything. Thank you my dear friends.

My Kitchen all ready for the Christmas Party! Love my chalk board!!!

Can you find the minion?

 In my living room there is a space with tile that looks like it was created for the Christmas Tree. :) So I knew that I needed to get a big tree this year. I tend to collect ornaments when I travel but I was still nervous that I would have a bare Christmas tree! So as I walked around the city I would find cute ornaments and buy one, two or three...mostly owls and sheep ones. :) Once I had unloaded all of my ornaments and started putting them on the tree I realized...I HAD PLENTY! 

Love these birds. 

Found this Advent Calendar in a shop here in Sofia. Can I get a Roll Tide Christmas?!?!

Not for weak stomaches

This is a video from my door to the metro. Many of you have asked for more pictures of my daily life...so here it is! It's a bit bumpy...can't see much...but I tried. :)

It's not easy being away from my family...especially on days like today where all I want to do is spoil my nephew with birthday presents!
 

This little monster turns 1 today!

But I am so very thankful for Skype! 

And thankful for Bulgarian nieces that I can spoil! :)

God is so Good.

Sweet Friends

It has been so wonderful being back with old and friends and some new fiends! Welcome to Erin, Molly and Lizzy! We are so excited you are here!

 This was me dressed as Moaning Myrtle for our ESL costume party...I was also the DJ. We had a blast. 

 Ezmerelda, Brave, Katniss, 70s chick, Me and Princess Leah. :)

I am home safe and sound!

Sorry it has taken so long. 

BUT 

Trafficking in America

Maybe you have heard that human trafficking is happening...but you think to yourself 'maybe it's happening in New York City or California but not in my hometown'. Think again.

Below is a link to Polaris Project. This website shows you what is happening in your state regarding human trafficking and the efforts that are being made to combat it.

STATE MAP- Polaris Project






For the month of September I will be working as an intern with an organization based out of Orlando, FL. Below is the link. Please be praying for me and this organization as we work together to fight human trafficking through prevention, rescue and restoration. Buy this book and support the fight!
There Is Hope For Me