Late night day-dreams and memories...

Even though it's late, I should be in bed and I already wrote once today... I once again have that overwhelming desire to write and share some of my dreams (even though they are pretty much the same dreams I have shared before). They are dreams that are always on my mind and thoughts that I often escape to when I am bored, discouraged, tired or just wanting to escape. With working a long shift tonight and having my list of to-do's done with an hour and a half left til the end of my shift, I just couldn't help but let my mind wander. And where did it wander to? Oh you know. The world... Ecuador, Peru, Mexico, Cambodia, Thailand, China, missions, orphans, social justice, building houses, teaching missions, planting churches, serving Jesus. You get the idea.

One of my best friends from high school, Anna, and one of my best friends from college, Sarah, are two ladies that I love to talk about these things with.

Anna and I started our world travels when we went to Ecuador in 2004. Together. Let me tell you... it was such an adventure. We were introduced to all sorts of things and did it together. One of the greatest things I love remembering from our trip is the relationship we built with some of the Chilean youth we worked with (yes, we worked with Chilean  youth in Ecuador... they met up with our team on their short-term missions trip). And the nicknames we earned by the end of our 2.5 week trip. And the look of our team leader when he picked us up at the airport... two small 15 year olds traveling on their own for the first time. It was quite funny. Anna and I have always talked about how our hearts are wandering hearts. We are always wanting to travel, to go somewhere new, to experience new cultures and meet new people. We are always looking for another adventure. That's just how we do things.

And Sarah. She is one of my favorite people to talk about missions with. To talk about anything with in reality.  She has such an incredibly huge heart and an incredible fire for orphans, Africa and sharing the love of Jesus. She went through every missions class at Lincoln with me and wrestled with every missions project the same way I did (except she didn't put herself in the hospital during Prep... that was just me!). And she still is always there whenever I just want to talk through passions, desires, dreams, plans, etc.  She is so lovely and such a force to be reckoned with. The world will have to watch out when she goes to wherever GOD sends her. Just sayin.

With all of the dreams and things I have been thinking about, these two wonderful ladies are also on my mind. I love them and know that missions, the world, travel and the love of Jesus are what hold us together and allow us to continue our crazy friendships even though we are separated by all sorts of distances and schedules. And I am so grateful for the adventures and lessons I have gotten to share with both of them. And sometimes I can't help but wander if GOD will ever send us on another adventure together. People may not be ready for that or know what to do with us. But it would certainly be an amazing adventure!

Speaking of another adventure... I have decided that if and when I get to go on another trip (whenever loans get paid off) my top three choices are:

1. a house build in Juarez, Mexico with Casas por Cristo

2. an orphanage visit with Show Hope in China 

3. an eye-opening experience with rescued girls in Cambodia and Thailand with RaphaHouse or Destiny Rescue

I have no idea if I will get to go to these places or when I will get to go or who I will get to travel with. But I can't deny that my heart longs for when I get the chance. I am a wanderer. I am a young girl who just wants to share the love of Jesus with people who haven't experience HIM yet. I am a minister's wife who wants to introduce the local church to the amazing opportunities that lie just outside our church doors and country's borders. And I am a dreamer. Can't help it. It's who I am.