New Beginnings

Hello friends! 

This blog will mark the beginning of my next adventure! As much as I tend to resist change, I actually really love it. I love to have purpose and stretch myself to do hard things. I've had a blast in Provo this past year. I've made life-long friends and the created the best memories! But its time to move... again. I've packed up my things and I'm finishing up my final preparations for my next adventure! This time, I have decided to leap a little more towards the stars. On Saturday, I am leaving on an plane to achieve one of my dreams and travel! Specifically to Piura, Peru!

I am so excited!!

Going to Peru has been on my mind for the past couple of summers now, I knew one day I'd make it there. I've loved the idea of going to Machu Pichu ever since I was a little girl. And my opportunity came up as I ran into my old friend Suzanne who told me about HELP-International and convinced me I should do it! I of course wanted to, but I honestly didn't think I'd actually go. So I tested the idea, I put my name in for a drawing at a UVU internship fair for a scholarship to get to Peru. I promised myself that if my name was picked from the drawing, I would go. In past experience, I've never won anything big from a drawing, so I thought that was a pretty safe promise. 

A week later, I received an email saying my name was drawn! (What!) I made a decision in that moment. And I didn't give it another doubting thought. I was determined to make this dream happen. And everything has fallen into place to get me there since I make the first step forward.

HELP International is awesome! Their mission is "to empower people to fight global poverty through sustainable, life-changing development programs".  I love the word empower. I believe in people and I love to bring freedom to individuals, no matter where they live. The projects with Help are designed not only to serve, but to teach. To bring in new ideas and provide them with materials that can last. I've been keeping up to date with the team that is currently in Peru right now, I can see how much of an impact it is making in their lives and the people they have been helping. I can hardly wait to get on the plane to join them!

The decision to go was definitely a leap of faith. I am going so outside of my comfort zone! I'm going to a country that speaks Spanish!  I speak very little Spanish. But I'm learning it poco un poco! That'll be the biggest challenge for me I think, but I'm willing to learn as much as I can! I'm also going to be 6 hours away from the city my Brother is serving his mission in Ecuador! Of course I won't see him, but it'll be cool to experience the same part of the world he is living in for the next two years! We'll  be right across the border from eachother!

Last of all, I wanted to express my deepest gratitude to everyone who has donated towards my trip to help me get to Peru. I am SO thankful by the amount of money I have been able to receive from each of you to help me reach my dream. I could not have done this with out you all. Thank you so much for the support!

I'll be leaving early on Saturday morning. I'll fly from SLC, to LAX, to LIMA where I will have a 7 hour layover in the middle of the night and then I'll fly to Piura early Sunday morning. I don't know whether to be nervous or excited! Its a whole lot of feelings all in one. :)

Anyway, I'm hoping to keep everyone posted on what I'll be doing over the next couple months on this blog! Stay tuned for all my Peruvian adventures.

Lots of Love!

Lindsay