HAITI

Two of my favorite people in the entire world are in Haiti right now on a mission trip! Please keep Kathy and Jenny Richardson in your thought and prayers while they are on this journey! I cannot wait to hear their stories! This is their second (?or third?) time going on this mission trip!

I am s0o0o0o proud to have the people in my life that I do! I think this needs said because, if this trip has done anything for me, it is make me appreciate those that I love back home. I met a guy that I thought made some racist, nasty comments this weekend. I immediately said that I didn't appreciate him talking that way. I really think racism is a sign of ignorance. I was not raised that way and I don't like when I hear it in 2008! What are you doing? Who do you think you are?

I think in our world today, everyone is the problem. As long as people are seeing color and associating it with a group of people, there are going to be issues. I immediately got mad at the guy, instead of attempting to understand his position. In the end, I didn't agree with it, and I ended up frustrated. I wish I could have some impact on him...

I realized the people we have in our lives play such an important role in the way that we act and think. My friends and I go to church together. We have 'Ladies Night' that (a lot of times) involves going over to each other's houses in pajamas, eating ice cream, and talking about our lives. We support each other in every way that we can. My friends drove to Vincennes, Indiana for my Grandpa Crowley's funeral. It was a crazy, blurry time for me, and I appreciate my friends showing that they were there. We all went to a Senior Dinner for Bridget when she was at St. Mary's. ((Not only for the cheesecake.)) I love my friends and am so happy and proud that they are a part of my life!

My family is s0o0o0o important to me! I have taken a lot of things for granted over the years. I have talked to so many people over here who have led much different childhoods than I have. I have a package nearly ONCE A WEEK from someone from home. There are some people who have nothing. And it isn't so much material things as it is the thought. I know people from home care and are thinking about me.

I have so many support systems that I could talk about. Thank each and every one of you for playing such an important role in my life. You have helped to shape me into a person I am very proud about today. I hope that I am a person who has helped to shape yours as well. I try to be as loving and supportive as possible.

Which is why you should keep Kathy and Jenny in your thoughts and prayers... ;)