Returning to Cape Town

So I've decided to return to South Africa. These past fews months I have been busy preparing and doing fundraisers to help pay for my trip. I'm so excited and can't wait to get there. I certainly left behind a big chunk of my heart when I was there last time, so I just can't wait to get back there to that beautiful country and those wonderful little children.

I looked at the calendar the other day and realized that I arrive in Cape Town in about 7 1/2 weeks! Oh my gosh the time has just flown!

Thanks to my incredible friends and family, for it's you making this all possible! I have had so many friends generously donate items for my yard sales (which have been very successful due to the nice items, from furniture, electronics, clothing, etc), Deb who gets up super early to run my yard sales! (She's much better at it then me...it's that assertive New Yorker in her!) :) I've had friends help me bake for my bake sales, and Tish who spends her days off from work helping me bake and sell! Jennifer who makes the best brownies I have ever tasted! And my Navy Chief's who let me set up bake sales at their BBQ's at work! I've had monetary donations from friends and family to help pay my program fee. My Mom....I just can't say enough...she is the best! Uncle Donny...I'm so humbled by your generosity. To my supervisor MaryKay who was so generous to let me take 4 weeks away from work! I have the love and support of my friends and family. And most importantly.....Rick who never complains that I have this deep need to travel across the world and give some of myself to others. He takes care of home and the kids with nothing but encouraging words for me. He doesn't complain that his garage has been overrun by a mountain of donated yard sale items! Don't worry honey...last yard sale coming up and the garage is all yours again! :) Tyler and Kristen, they are my heart.....they totally understand my need to give back and understand my need to do it so far away. They not only don't mind me going, they support it 100% and are proud of me and they didn't even mind that I tacked on an extra week this time! I am so grateful to everyone around me and am so very lucky to have each of you in my life. I truly am overwhelmed by all the love and support. You guys are awesome and I love you. You warm my heart.

This blog is where I regularly journal. Please follow me on my journey. The people that know me, know how incredibly important this trip is to me. As equally important as the trip is, I also want to share the experience, enlighten, educate and maybe inspire.

Please check back often as I will blog more as the trip gets closer and almost daily while in Cape Town. If you've not read my posts from my trip in 2008, please do!

Love to all and thank you again! You all are incredible!