To the WORLD

(aka the 5 people who will read this):

I attend a ward with lots of awesome people. As we have been talking about our summer plans recently, I am starting to realize that most travelers in my ward are traveling for service. One friend is going to Africa for 3 months to serve the children, another is going to the eastern states on a service mission, and the list goes on and on and on. It's touching to think about the impact that a group of YSAs from Centerville Utah can have on the world in 4 months. Wherever they go and whatever they do, they will surely be an influence for good around the globe. Hearts will be touched, lives will be changed and people will be uplifted.

Here I sit, with my cute little packing list and my cute little blog, preparing for a cute little adventure. I feel a little selfish for going on such a me-focused vacation. Here is part of an email I sent to Ale in December:

"I want to learn history and geography!

I want to pretend that I'm a native!

I want to see breathtaking and diverse architechture!

I want to do yoga on a cliff!

I want to swim surrounded by gorgeousness!

I want to watch clouds and stars from that part of the world!

I want to know what Morocco is!

I want to see rolling hills of Northern England while riding a bike on a small dirt road!

I want to visit the countries of my ancestors: Denmark, Sweden and Scotland!

I want to put flowers on the ancient tombstones of strangers!

I want to walk barefoot on cobblestone streets and say 'dude, these cobblestones are shredding my heels!'

I want to get cheap, authentic clothing!

I want to never get exhausted because I'm so in love with being there!

I want to miss home!"

I want, I want, I want, I, I, I, ME, ME, ME!!! To be completely honest, one reason why this trip is so appealing to me is because it's mine. I don't need to find a babysitter for my noisy children because I don't have any; I don't need to worry about coughing up $5,000 for next semester of school because I'm done with that (AHHHH)! It's the perfect time of life for travel, and I've always wanted to go to Europe so I'm going to Europe! 

Although my reasons for going are basically self-centered, I'm hoping for charitable outcomes from this trip. I expect to gain experiences and perspectives that will help me grow in many ways, and therefore make me a better servant of the Lord. I'm also expecting to find ways to serve others while I'm there. This blog will function as a bulletin for my travel stories, but it will also be a place for me to record the good things that I see while overseas. 

I can hardly believe that I will be on another continent soon! I am so blessed to have this opportunity, and I'm excited to take advantage of it!