I hate last-minute packing. I tried to get most of it done last week so that it wouldn't be too difficult to finish up and zip up my bags this week.

Unfortunately, the task was much more difficult than I had anticipated.

I had my stuff sorted into three piles - Box 1, Box 2 (both of which would go with me on the plane) and Box 3 (this will be sent to me through Door-to-Door service). I thought I was just going to re-packing what I had already done last week and typing out my packing list (yes, I have a very detailed packing list typed up and printed out). I had already done an initial packing and weighing. It should've been a quick and simple task, right? WRONG.

Somehow over the weekend I must have thrown a few things randomly into my airplane boxes. After inventorying, packing and weighing... they were both well over 50 pounds. STINK! Why did they have to change the weight limit from 75 pounds?!

So, it made for a very frustrating, temper-filled day. It wore on my patience and irritated me A LOT. But finally my boxes were both right at 50 (okay, one might be a LITTLE over). And I'm packed and ready to go!

I apologize for my long period of silence. It's been a busy time. And honestly, when I've had some time, I've just been lazy to update. But, I decided that it was time to break the silence. So much has happened. So much is going to happen. How can I not get you all up-to-date!

Here is a quick update on the last month...

THE HOLIDAYS
I enjoyed a great Christmas and New Year's with my family here in PA. The holidays were a good time for me to just relax and spend time with my mom, dad, and sister. We watched a lot of movies, took a trip to NYC and my sister helped me make a t-shirt quilt.

It was a very quiet holiday season for our family. After the year that we had, we welcomed the calm pace.

It really was a season of hope, love, joy and peace...celebrating God with us.

DALLAS MEETINGS
Right after the holidays I took a trip to Dallas, TX. I had the chance to participate in meetings of the Wycliffe International communications team. After working with this virtual team for the last couple of months it was fun to meet face-to-face with this group. Working with this team was a temporary assignment that I was able to do during my time at home. Since I'm now able to make my move to Manila, this temporary assignment has come to an end. I'm thankful that I had the opportunity to work with this group during this time.

FAMILY FUN TIME
I had made plans to stay in Dallas for a few days following the meetings so that I could spend time with family. I was incredibly grateful for this time to spend with my family before leaving for the Philippines.

I got to stay with my cousin, Leilani and her husband, Jeff. It was so good to see them as they are expecting their first child this June! The next time I see her, she'll be a Mommy!

My aunt and uncle, Tita Myrna and Tito Ray, hosted a family gathering at their house so I could see as much family as I could while in town.






My days in Dallas were filled with fun, rest and lots of good food.

I got to have my last Papa John's pizza before leaving. (I don't THINK there's Papa John's in the Philippines), had some great Mexican food and indulged with some Italian gelato.

I enjoyed a lot of movie-watching, getting sucked into reading the Twilight series (yes, I think I am a bit over the target demographic!), and catching up with loved ones. It was great time!






THE BIG NEWS THIS MONTH!!
On the last day of the meetings in Dallas I got word that a FedEx package was on its way to my house in PA. The package contained my passport and approved VISA to stay in the Philippines for the next year!

So, I quickly made a call and booked my tickets to Manila!
I will board a Northwest Airlines flight on THURSDAY, JANUARY 29th to make the big move.

I returned from Dallas on the 13th and immediately shifted gears. Moving mode. I've been doing paperwork, sorting through things, packing, buying things I might need and taking care of a bunch of other miscellaneous tasks. It seems like the list of To-Do's is never ending!

I can't really believe that it's finally time. I've been preparing for this for years and now that it's here... I can't even really describe all that I'm thinking and feeling. But mostly, I've been constantly doing. I was telling a friend the other day that I've not really taken time to really sit and process all that's happening. And I am a processor. I need to take time to think, think, process, read, write, think... over and over and over again. Thoughts and emotions kind of pass through me but nothing has sunk in. But, more on all that later...

Sorry I've been quiet for so long. Hope to be better at blogging, especially in the days ahead as I began this new part of the journey!

After getting poked, prodded and photographed, I finally have all my paperwork completed for my visa application. For some reason this visa application process has taken a long time and was a lot of work!

Thankfully, there have been some wonderful people who have helped me in the process. They've supplied me with all the forms I've needed, detailed instructions on how to properly fill out the forms, and great tips on how to best submit a complete application packet. I can't imagine what this process would have been like without their assistance!

The application I had to complete for a visa to the Philippines isn't just filling out a simple piece of paper. I had to get a criminal history certificate, a new passport, photographs, medical check up, blood work, chest x-rays, urine and stool samples, letters of sponsorship, copies of my college diploma, copies of my birth certificate... a lot of stuff to gather!

I started the process of gathering all these materials before I left Orlando (July 2007), but since I had a delay in my departure to the Philippines... I basically had to start the whole process over again.

But, finally... it's done and on its way.
Eek! I guess I'm really doing this, huh? Reality strikes again!

I'm hoping to leave for Manila the last week in January. It usually takes a couple of weeks for the visa application to be processed. Because of the holidays, it will likely take longer.

Please pray that my visa comes back quickly!