2013

Somehow, my posts from the last 3 years since my first trip to Ethiopia have been messed up (the formats are all funky). So, until it's fixed and I can find a way to repost them here's the last three years in a nutshell::

2010:
My husband and I were both college graduates with jobs. He decided to go back to school so he could become a doctor. Then, I decided I would go back to school, too.... BUT FIRST, I gave resignation at my job and spent one month living with an Ethiopian family and working in an orphanage. That's basically when my life changed forever. I always had this 'crazy dream' to go to Africa and work in an orphanage. This dream of a little girl turned into a passion and I truly feel like God has placed these dreams in my heart for a bigger reason. It's not about me. It's so much more-- love, redemption, faith, and hope... and about doing anything I can to help make a difference. I love traveling, I love experiencing new cultures, learning and gaining new perspectives on life, people and the world, and more than all, I love challenging myself to simply love and help others.

2012:

When I returned from my trip, my mom (like a great mom and friend) was the one who would listen to my heart, challenges, adjustments, and emotions dealing with my life being so radically put into perspective and changed from my month in Ethiopia. In the spring of 2012 she took a leap of faith and decided to go with me to do volunteering. We arrived in the country with so much excitement and plans. We traveled to a village to meet a boy our family had been sponsoring. My mom met my host family. We volunteered with a ministry called "Embracing Hope", a free daycare program for women who are trying to work and support their families; it's a wonderful holistic approach program that works to keep families together. We went to the Mother Teresa hospital called "Missionaries of Charity". THAT day changed my life forever. Over 700 patients desperate for care, most on death's doorstep, others with a fighting chance, orphans, new mothers and many more. There were literally people lying outside on the sidewalks, just hoping to come into the gates. I knew from that day on that I would always, somehow, be involved in medical missions for the rest of my life.  

Only a few short days after arriving and getting settled into our "3 week trip", we received a call that changed our lives. On the other side of the world, we found out my dad had cancer. So, we packed our bags, and waited 2 days for the next flight out of Ethiopia. We came home to face a year of trials. My dad had a huge operation followed by chemotherapy, my mom had to get a hip replacement, and just when we thought things were looking up.... we were told my dad only had months to a year to live. 

2013:

My dad had, what can only be described as, a medical miracle. Three months after scans showing cancer returning on his liver, us trying to make the most of time together, and him deciding to not go through any more chemotherapy.... another round of scans (exact same kind of scan) showed that the metastatic tumor had been significantly reduced in size and could hardly be detected. He's doing wonderfully and we are all so eternally grateful to still have him here.  

My husband has been working so hard in school and is currently in medical school and I'm in the process of finishing classes so I can apply. We have spent a lot of time dreaming, discussing, talking, planning, and have decided to take a step of faith and go to Ethiopia and spend some time volunteering in medical clinics over Christmas break. This is an amazing opportunity for us to learn and grow educationally, spiritually and together as a couple. We are so excited and know this is only the beginning of our experiences together working in medical clinics around the world. I'm working so hard to raise money and have opened an Etsy jewelry shop: www.etsy.com/shop/ShareHopeShop.

We are SO excited and cannot wait to see what unfolds through this journey. Thank you family and friends for all the prayers and support! Stay tuned and follow us through this experience!