On my way!

Its hard to believe that the much anticipated date is upon me. The last few months have been a fury of activity. I moved out of my place and spent the summer living with and enjoying the company of friends and family. Two highlights were going on the annual fishing trip to northern Saskatchewan and being camp nurse for IGNITE 2010, a camp for older teens that is sponsored by Face to Face Ministries.
My parents hosted a beautiful barbeque on August 27th and I was able to say 'see you later' to a lot of people there. I am so grateful for everyone who came out to wish me well!
The last two weeks I've been in Houston, TX at my sister's place. I've been enjoying a great visit with her family including spending time with my incredible nieces Anna and Clare and their little foster baby Alex. One of the highlights was Clare's 5th birthday. She chose to have a Little House on the Prairie themed party. My sister, never being one to do things half heartedly, had us all participate. We stopped by the Goodwill store and got some costumes (pictured below). Believe it or not, we actually went to the local park dressed like this and had a good ol' fashioned cook out, fished in the pond and the girls beat us in a three legged race!

Ma, Pa, Miss Beetle, Mary and Laura

Now it's time for me to bid farewell to North America. I'm excited, but a bit anxious as well.  I'm not sure what to expect next, but I'm looking forward to everything that lies ahead. I leave Houston Tuesday the 7th in the evening and arrive in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Sept 9th early am.  I'll post my first impressions of the sights, sounds and smells of my new environment as soon as I get oriented enough and find internet access.