gifts, bears, and backpacks!

Today at work I bought some gifts to share with my new Armenian and Georgian friends, and I'm already imagining the people I'll be sharing these gifts with.  I got several WWJD bracelets, a few books of Proverbs, and some coloring-type books about easter.  My mom also got 10 or so coloring books to donate to the Fuller Center in addition to the coloring pencils she got last week.  She also got me a book of Columbus postcards to take and share in Armenia and Georgia.  I'm very excited about sharing a little piece of the States with my new friends.

I also found out today that one of my sorority sisters, Stephanie, has 'traveling bears' to use as teaching aids in her classroom, and one of the bears, Bo, is going to be able to go with us to Armenia and Georgia.  We will take pictures of them with us on our travels, and she will use the pictures and bears to help teach her students about other countries and places around the world.  How exciting!

Also, Caleb is going to write me some letters to take with me on my trip to read for when I get homesick.  If anyone else wants to do that too, I would be very appreciative! :)

Finally, Dad decided that he would get me a large hiking backpack to take on the trip, rather than having to carry around my luggage, as long as I mostly filled it with things to take to the Armenians and Georgians.  So, we went to Academy in Auburn today and got a large backpack, and I can't wait to pack it full of gifts!  I'm so excited for this trip!

2 weeks and counting

Two weeks from now I'll be in Warsaw waiting to go to Yerevan, Armenia.  It's hard to imagine that in just 14 days I will find myself in a completely different country far across the ocean.  I'm hoping, as I start this blog, that I'll have time to continue it while I'm in Armenia and Georgia, but I guess we'll just have to see what happens when the time comes.

As the time gets closer, I am trying to prepare myself more and more for this trip, but the best thing that I can do right now is pray for God to continue to prepare my heart for what I will see and experience on this trip.  In the past weeks I have been doing a lot of reading, some for classes, and some for myself, and I have discovered that travel guides are hilarious and very helpful at the same time.  I have learned a lot about Armenia and Georgia, but I know that no amount of reading can prepare me for what I will actually experience there.

I still have so much to do, so please pray for me as I continue to prepare for this trip, physically, mentally, and emotionally.  Tomorrow I hope to find some postcards and other things to take from Columbus to share with the friends I make in Armenia and Georgia.  I have some colored pencils to take, but I still need coloring books to take as well.  If you have any suggestions of clever souvenirs from America or places to find them, they would be greatly appreciated!  Your prayers, support, and comments will also be appreciated while I am abroad!