World Vision

 I went to world vision today to find a sponsor child. I knew I wanted to sponsor a little boy from Africa so the search engine was able to narrow it down. I began to flipping through the pictures. With every child my heart broke a little more. I wish I could provide for each and everyone of them. Unfortunately I don't have that kind of money but I do have a relationship with a powerful loving God who can do amazing things. I will be praying for all those kids and that their needs both physical as well as emotionally are met.

I was able to choose one child to sponsor. As soon as I landed on this little boy I knew he was the one for me. He has such a big beautiful smile.
His name is Jean Marie, he will be 5 on October 25th and is living in Rwanda. I hope to one day meet him but in the mean time I will communicate with him through letters and I can't wait till I receive my first one! 

Bucket List + Shoes

This past week I had to opportunity to go to Fort Lauderdale Florida with my best friend, Christina and her wonderful family for the second time. The first time in Florida I was able to cross off *Go banana boating* from my bucket list, this time is was parasailing. Parasailing was a lot of fun and terrifying all at the same time. I had a death grip on the harness the entire time and may have screamed once or twice but I am so glad I was able go.

I created my Bucket List a little awhile ago. I always have ideas of doing things but never really follow through. I figured this list would help me remember the things I want to do as well as motivate me. If I never do some of the things on my list I'm sure I'll survive (irony) but its still exciting to think of completing this list at some point (and possibly adding more to it and I cross things off.)

Bucket List

1.     Run across the country
2.     Iron man
3.     Go to a concert
4.     Get married
5.     Have kids
6.     Work in an orphanage in Africa
7.     Make a difference in my job
8.     Graduate college with a GPA I can be proud of
9.     Go on a cruise
10. Reach the top of Mount Fugi
11. Go to Alaska when its dark all the time
12. Sleep directly beneath the stars
13. Share my faith/lead someone to Christ
14. Read the whole Bible
15. Visit Tahiti
16. Go to Ireland
17.  Learn to swing dance and break dance
18. Decorate for Christmas my way
19. Play an entire course of golf
20. Snowboard the right way
21.  Take singing lessons
22. Ride in a hot air balloon
23. Go scuba diving
24. Go rock climbing
25. Learn to shoot a gun
26. Ski dive
27. Visit the wreckage of the Titanic aboard a submarine.
28. See the northern lights
29. See the Amazon Rainforest
30.  Go to a movie premiere
31. Visit all 50 states
33. Stay in the Plaza
34. Stay in a bed and breakfast
35. Go to a spa
36. Play black jack in Las Vegas
37. Buy a historic home and renovate it
38. Mush a dog sled
39. Swim with dolphins
40. Go on a safari
41. See the Radio City Christmas Spectacular
42. Go parasailing
43. Walk the great wall of China
44. Start a mock tail/candy bar
45. Take a cooking class
46. Donate my hair
47. Fly first class
48. Complete a food challenge at a restaurant
49. Visit Holocaust camp
50. Christmas in NYC
51. Ride in a horse and buggy around a city
52. Make an outfit (design and sew)
53. Complete p90X
54. Write in a journal everyday for a year
55. Read from the Bible everyday for a year
56. Ride a horse on the beach
57. Shoot a bow and arrow
58. Watch the sun rise and set in the same day
59. Ride a double decker bus
60. Ride a mechanical bull
61. Taking a boxing class
62. Sing in a karaoke bar
63. Go on the worlds longest zip line in South Africa
64. Get hit with a pie
65. Tour the FBI building
66. Take a road trip with my best friends
67. Go on a jet ski
68. Go banana boating 


I already have plans in the next few months to do a few more things on my list so I will be sure to keep you posted!

RUNNING


So this past week I have been running about 35 minutes everyday. My previous shoes were really worn out and causing me to get blisters so my parents and I went to If the Shoe Fits (best shoe store) and purchased some new running shoes. That very day I went out running and noticed that my pace was much quicker and I had no more blisters! So I am pretty happy with my new shoes.





September 3rd is my first race. A 10K run and I can't wait!

Father's Day

For a belated Father's Day me, my sister Erin, her husband Philip, my brother Kyle, my best friend Christina and of course my Dad went on an adventure on the Patomic. We started the day riding bikes for about 5 miles down to Harper's Ferry. We stopped and had lunch and ice cream. We were just about ready to leave when we realized my Dad's and Kyle's bikes were missing. We stood around debating what we should do for a couple minutes before we came to a conclusion. My Dad and I decided to run back to the car from Harper's Ferry. This was a little daunting to me for a few reasons.

1. I am just getting back into shape. That means I have only been able to run about 20 minutes this first week. I knew it would take me a little longer to run 5 miles.
2. I had just eaten a club sandwich, some fruit, a few fries and half a cone of soft served ice cream.
3. I really had to use the rest room.

I didn't have a watch but luckily I had brought my iPod so I was able to have somewhat of an idea of how long I had been running. I started off running and felt pretty good. Around song 6 I got a pretty bad cramp but I was able to push through it. Than after about 40 minutes Philip showed up with a bike for me. (Apparently the people to stole them thought that "they were for everyone.") I rode back to the car in ten minutes. After that little adventure we all went river rafting, than went home, watched a movie and ate pizza.

In my previous post I stated that I believe God has a purpose behind everything, and the statement continues to hold true. I would have never run 40 minutes unless forced, and yesterday I was. During my run I was able to talk to God and enjoy the beauty that surrounded me, the beauty the He created. God gave me an opportunity to run as well as an opportunity to spend time with Him, both unexpected and so appreciated.

On this belated Father's Day I was able to spend time with both my earthly Father as well as my heavenly Father making that day an amazing day.