This past week has been very interesting for me.  It has been packed full of goodbyes, travel, new people, new life situations, and introduction to a new ministry.  It has been sad, exciting, exhausting, and joyous . . . all at the same time and sometimes all at once.

I spent the last several months of 2014 at home in North Carolina preparing to leave and making memories with family and friends.  I cherish those months.  However, even with our best laid plans and intentional efforts during those months and my final weeks there; the goodbye was still hard and seemed to sneak up on us.  I’m just so incredibly grateful for my relationship with my family and close friends and the support that they have for me . . . they love me well!

Last Saturday, the long awaited day arrived and I packed up my belongings in 2 checked bags and a carry-on and headed out on my next adventure.  At that point, though it was hard to say goodbye, I was ready.  I know that this is the right step for me, because God has revealed to me that this is His plan, so I was ready.

I arrived late Saturday night to my new home in Nicaragua and was welcomed well by my new roommates and team.  I was surprised to feel like I was coming home, given I had just left home, but I did . . . and it felt good.

These past few days have gone by quickly.  I’m just trying to take it all in.  I’m enjoying taking it all in.  I've spent some time checking out ministry with the short-term team that is here, walked around the local streets in an attempt to get acclimated to my area (a work in progress

), eaten some great local food,  reunited with some AIM staff that were here as their trip closed, made my first trip to the grocery store, and started to connect with my team.

I've arrived in this new place.  I've taken this step.  I know that it is the right step.  I’m looking forward to sharing the journey with all of you!