Oh, the Places You'll Go!

Today I turn 22... Older and wiser? Hopefully I will be after this year is through. In my first post of this blog, I was talking about living a life of adventure... I wrote that this coming year would include "The year of (cross your fingers) working abroad, teaching special education and growing in all aspects of my being."
This dream is actually coming true.On September 4th I will be leaving to spend ten months in Ghana as a volunteer teacher. This is a decision that I have been praying about for over a year and I am so thankful it is actually happening.To boil it all down, this is what I want the people in my life to know:
God's got a plan. I am volunteering at Faith Roots International Academy through the non-profit organization City of Refuge Ministries. I will be teaching special education there. I will be there for 10 months. I am scared to death. I have to do this.Please check out their website....
Www.faithrootsinternational.com or www.cityofrefugeoutreach.com.
This is a phenomenal organization working on creating sustainable change in a hurting community through employment, education, and empowerment.
Yes, I am paying to go teach. Yes, I realize it is (very) expensive. Yes, it is worth it to me. If you agree and are willing to donate to this cause, I would love that. Send a check to P.O. Box 91546, Sioux Falls, SD 57109 with KT-1 written on the memo. If you feel like it, you could send one every month next year! Please let me know if you do... It means so much to me.
This adventure is big and scary. But it's also a calling, and who am I to refuse.Thank you for all of you who have pushed me through this journey... through conversation and questioning and support and telling me you're going to kick me in the ass until I go... I am so thankful.
Cheers to what lies ahead.

Transition

"I want you to be a block away so I can text you and say 'Lets go on a walk!' and come find you in 2 seconds."

Sent this to a dear friend tonight... It's true. And true for more people than just him. I miss being surrounded by people who loved well.

From my backyard I can see the elementary school I went to as a child... Tonight I took a walk around it, and it's so different looking at this place from the eyes of a teacher. My 6th grade teacher is still in the same classroom, and I wish I remembered more of my time in her class. I have been subbing in a nearby district, and every day I can pretty much guarantee on at least one of these two comments...
1. "She's so tall!" (usually whispered "quietly" to their friend)
2. "Miss Taylor... do you know/are you related to Taylor Swift/Lautner?"

Oh the minds of small children...

This weekend I will move to Seattle to spend a month and a half living with my best friend and working for Seattle Parks and Recreation. This time will be bittersweet, as a close friend gets married, another prepares for her September wedding, and I prepare for adventure... The highest highs and likely the lowest lows of fear, loneliness, and insecurity in what this next year has to come. Praying for light at the beginning of the tunnel and eyes to see the beauty in what lies ahead.