All the Facts

 On December 28, or 29 (I actually can't remember which day), it will have been a full year since the day I got engaged. If I'm being honest, I wanted to get married this Fall. Little did I know that fall would come and pass, and I still wouldn't even have a date. 

This is not what I had imagined. 

I thought that I would have 8 or 9 months filled with celebration, and parties, and crazy wedding planning and cake tasting and trying on beautiful wedding gowns. Then, this magical wedding in the fall with all of our friends and family gathered around us to celebrate and have this huge celebration of two lives, and two families, joining. 

Then covid hit. 

SO here's the scoop on everything (because its been confusing) 

Billy asked me to marry him, just before the new year, we parted ways on new year's day, 2020, (we were engaged a whopping 24 hours before being seperated) and did not see eachother until the first week of July. We called it our "wedding boot camp", because we did everything we could think of to get us ready for the wedding, that we assumed would be happening soon (although we didn't have a clue). It was really fun. We went shopping for items we wanted to register for, we looked at flowers, and colors (my idea haha) and thought about what area of Jacksonville we would want to live in. 

When I got home from that trip, Billy and I had decided that we didn't care when he deployed, or even that he couldn't leave Florida (the military is on restriction of movement in Florida, due to the Corona), we just wanted to be married. A couple days after deciding this, we told our families, and found out that we actually couldn't make this happen, for a lot of different reasons, the most important being that our families couldn't all be there, and Billy and I agreed that that is what is most important. 

However, we later found out that it was a blessing we had decided to not get married in the fall in Florida.

In September, we had about two weeks notice to plan a trip to see each other for the last time before he deployed. Imagine planning a destination wedding in two weeks. No. It just couldn't happen. So i got to spend 12 days with him before the military whisked him away, until May. The 12 days were the best ever, though. We pretty much lived on the beach. He got me a new ring (I'm allergic to an alloy in white gold), we we went on so may adventures, and made a dream sheet of all the adventures we can't wait to go on after we get married and move to Jacksonville, Fl together. 

He deployed to Japan early November. 

From December 2019, to late Spring 2021. I have gotten to see him 22 days.

As far as wedding planning looks now, we still have absolutely no idea. We don't know if his restriction of movement will be over when he gets back to America, we don't know if we will have a solid enough day to actually pick one and plan a wedding. We don't know if there will even be a wedding, or if we will end up, standing on a beach in front of our parents, saying our vows, last minute. There is so much uncertainty about this day. I didn't think I even wanted a wedding when Billy and I started dating, and now its breaking my heart to think that I might not be able to have one. I'm trying to remain optimistic and plan and dream, but its getting harder and harder, the more I realize that it would be a complete miracle if Billy could be home for our wedding. I know that even if we cant have a wedding, I will still get to marry him, I'll just be really bummed if its 3000 miles away from all the people we know and love. 

It's been a rollercoaster of a year for everybody, for a lot of different reasons. I can't wait to marry my best friend. We have been engaged so much longer than I thought we would be, nothing has gone to plan, and the fact that he's in a different continent is really hitting me hard. So, if you see me at the coffee shop, don't be afraid to say hi and check in. I am ALWAYS happy to  talk to people. Its pretty lonely, now that church can't congregate, and all the christmas activities have had to be mostly canceled, and we all have to stay apart and we can hardly hear the words said through masks. 

So in short, I'm still engaged. Yes, there was buzz of a wedding this fall, but that got canceled before it really got planned. I still work at Hurricane Coffee, Billy is deployed, the most hope I have is that even though I don't have a date, I know that this is the last leg (I think) of real wait time to be Mrs. Wisor. I am nervous, but excited to be a wife. 

Although this year has not been everything that I had planned, God has once again shown me beautiful and wonderful blessings that I never would have discovered, had things gone my way. I am sad that so far, things have been so unpredictable and confusing. Still, I am not disappointed, I don't feel let down, or underappreciated. It may have not been full of big parties and a whirlwind of wedding planning, God has shown me how to see the celebration in every day.  I have learned to cherish the small moments, realizing that every minute is a beautiful blessing, and being allowed to understand this struggle and being able to feel every emotion to its full extent, has been a growing experience that I will continue to learn from, every day of my life. 

So if you are wondering if I am happy, the answer is complicated. The fact is that I have a hopeful joy in the depth of my spirit that keeps me smiling every day of waiting, every day of wondering, and every night of crying. This too, shall pass. Happy is fleeting, joy is eternal. Mostly I just miss my man. 

Please stop by the coffee shop to see me <3 I need more friendly and familiar smiles in my life (plus we do have the best coffee in the county) 

P.S. My new ring is amazing and I'll let you look at it if you come to the coffee shop ;) 

Its Probably Gonna be a Long Journey

 This blog will probably hurt to write. 

Abandoned. 

That's how I felt, sitting alone on my bedroom floor at age 14. Abandoned by God, abandoned by the people I love, abandoned by my teachers. What did it all mean. Why did it even matter. Who cared if I took a next step. I was totally alone inside of my brain. A chronic overthinker, big emotions, and not at an age where I could rationally sort them. I told myself a lot of lies during that period in my life. 

I told myself I didn't need help. I didn't need friends. I convinced myself I didn't need anyone (even though I was heavily reliant on my parents)

Over the years, of course, the intensity of those big, crazy emotions left, and got replaced with more loving, and understanding emotions. I grew to understand situations and I got to see things from a different perspective, found friends, and companionship, asked for help. See, I thought I had it all figured out. I thought I knew enough to psychoanalyze myself and deem that I was all better, but still growing. 

I was so wrong on so many levels 

The past 365 days have been quite the trip for me. It seems like such a short amount of time, and yet it feels like the longest year of my life. And no, i'm not just talking about the year 2020. This 365 starts in 2019.

I'd freshly lost my job at Wakeup Call in Spokane. My boyfriend was going through more training for his job in the navy, and I was struggling with the question "to move home, or not to move home" Was I admitting defeat if I moved back in with my parents?  Was I a burden if I stayed in Spokane? 

 I got a job working for BHF as a teacher in an after school program, and pcaked my car to come home. Then, Eric and Marry hired me at Hurricane Coffee. Two of the biggest blessings in my life. As I moved back, and settled back into a new rhythm, things around me started changing. Changing fast. It was like everything had carelessly been thrown in a blender and shaken around. So I detached myself as much as I could. 

How could God do this? Was He even thinking about me? What I needed? I did not think so. Then God showed me something insane. Something so insane that it took a lot of months and a bunch of hurt later, to even realize God was showing me. 

I thought I knew that I wasn't completely fabulous at being a team player, until God showed me that I was playing a team sport like I was the only one on the field. It wasn't even that I didn't know HOW to play with others, I just really did not want to. I was independent. I'd been through hard stuff and I had made it out just fine and that was proof that I had no need for others and any companionship I allowed in my life, was not going to be burdened by my needing them. 

So here we are, back at the 14 year old Georgia. I am so embarrassed to talk about this but I know that it will make me stronger, and maybe even save someone else the pain of learning this lesson by themselves. 

When you're in a relationship, you're supposed to be a team, right? Well like I just told you. I don't do team sports. I had gotten really used to living on my own, being in charge of myself, accountable for no one, not really relying on anyone, and I was allowed to feel this way. I liked feeling this independant and there was no one around to stop me, so one day, when there was, I didn't know how to process it. 

This caused issues. I totally didn't understand. Why wouldn't you be thrilled to have someone who wasn't reliant on you? At this point, I have to point out my hypocrisy. I expect everyone to rely on me. I know, double standard. Its ugly. So I guess that I didn't understand that when you join a team, you're supposed to be a team. You know, communicate, pass the ball, don't try to carry the whole game on your own back. People tried talking to me about it, but I was so sure I was actually doing well (except for the fact that I knew I wasn't) 

Then I read a story one day, I can't even remember what it was about, but I kinda felt God slap me in the face (with love, all things in love haha) I'm a horrible teammate. Not because I am not willing to play the game and participate, but because I was insanely selfish and I wasn't letting my teammates play. Communication is hard. Relying on other people is hard and its something  I really have to work at, but I realize that it makes him feel like he gets to be important. Like he is important. Because he is. In my stubborn brain, I might tell myself I am fine alone, but I rely on all my teammates, not just my Fiance. I rely on my mom, and my dad, and even my little brother. 

I need them in my life, just like they need me, and they deserve validation for it. People join a team because they want to play, not because they want to sit on the sidelines and watch you do all the work. I used to tell Billy that I was just a cheerleader, until I realized that I am actually a valuable part of our team, just like he is. 

So here is what I am saying. It is a healthy, wonderful blessing to rely on someone. It is not weak. You do not give up your ability to be independent, you just grow. I can still change a tire, change my oil, open a door, and pay for my meal, but it makes my Fiance feel validated and needed if I let him do those things. See? Its probably not healthy for me to deal with my emotions alone, or my life, or to have to internalize all that's going on in my head and the world around me, and that's what God gives you a partner for. It takes a little more trust and effort, but really, it makes your partner feel needed in your relationship. I know that I need William, and I know that I need to allow him to see it and feel it. 

If you are anything like me, you might be thinking "hey its great that it works for you but I know that I am a burden and I know I can handle everything on my own, so why inconvenience anyone else" and I am here to tell you that you are wrong. Heck, you might even be thinking that its weak to let others "carry your burden" but it actually takes a lot more strength to trust someone to help you out and allow them to love you. Its WAY harder, trust me. Hiding is so much more easy. Also, you are not a burden. Say 10 nice things about yourself to take that back -_- 

But, imagine living in a world where the people you loved and needed and relied on most, didn't need you. I don't know about you, but for me, that is the scariest and loneliest nightmare ever.  Having no value or purpose in my relationship. What would be the point of me being there? Think about that. The person you love most, feeling like, or treating you like, you're expendable. Imagine being in a really tough place, both of you hurting, and they say to you "oh no, I'm fine. I don't need help" Like. If you can't help them, you can't make them feel good... you start to feel like you're not good enough... or maybe they don't want you..

So for me, this is a daily struggle. Its a workout, my trusting muscles are not as strong as others, and it will be a LONG journey for me to really learn to be okay with relying on someone without feeling guilty, but I know its what's healthiest. Blessings, lessons, healing. You might not see it if you're too wrapped up in yourself to be looking around. I can't believe I am saying this, but maybe hitting rock bottom isn't the worst thing that can happen. Maybe its being allowed to live, believing the lies you tell yourself. 

Like I said. Its a long journey. Make sure to hydrate and drink coffee. #hurricaneforever 

No More Wallowa County Summer

Hey Blog, It's been a minute.

For my recent graduates. This years, last years, even the kids in my grade. Do you guys remember the moment we realized that this was it? We had spent the last summer as kiddos in our parents house, packed our cars, and headed out on a brand new adventure. That moment didn't hit me until I walked out of my job that summer, the day before I moved. I realized I was walking away from a job I had loved, a boss I had loved, but more than that, I was leaving everything I had ever known to go on an adventure that would be full of things I couldn't except, and grow me in ways I never knew I could.

Well, that's sorta how I feel right now.

This engagement has been so weird. We spent seven months without even really being able to think of picking a date (meanwhile, I was falling in love with July), and then about two weeks ago we figure out a month (maybe), but we still aren't sure because there are travel bans and all sorts of crazy things... I'm so ready to just be married. To not have to wait months and months at a time to see my guy for 8 days and then wait even more months, without knowing which month I'd be able to see him again. This most recent trip was what ended a 7 month spell of not seeing him!!! That's 100% of the time we have been engaged.

But anyways. I said that I think we may have a month. So all of a sudden, I'm looking around me and realizing that this is it. I'll potentially be packing my bags and moving across the country in 10 months, but this time, its so much bigger than just going to college.

See, as a college student, you can come home on the weekends. Live with your parents over the summer, if you go to a college in the same town as your parents, you might even still live with them. I'm going to be MARRIED. With my own house and building my own family. Clear across the country. No more Wallowa County summers.

No more Wallowa County summers. I suddenly find my heart missing the lake. I probably go to the lake, a max of 5 times a summer, and I live 15 minutes from the lake. I've never missed it before. I know that I am saying goodbye to my brother in three weeks. This is the last time we have together like this. What if my church never opens back up, and I've already had my last bible study? I learned and gained so much from the women. I learned about marriage and relationships and so many wonderful and amazing things that I wish I could hear more of right now. I won't come home from work and get to see my mom's new projects. No more R&R fries and shakes with jake.

I'm not sad. I'm just. Reeling I guess. This whole engagement, I haven't really felt it. We didn't have a date. Pretty much suspended in an awkward space between being boyfriend and girlfriend and husband and wife. Waiting to even get started with the inbetween part, learning that sometimes God has us in seasons that seem to be just stagnance, but realizing that He uses that time to work on us and grow our relationship before we go forward and take the next huge step. Then, all of a sudden, this completely elusive date becomes almost tangible and all the stuff you've been talking about and planning for, its coming into view and the realization that one of the biggest changes of your life is just around the corner.

I'm changing my last pipe, driving the tractor for the last time... amd yeah. I will come home. I will probably spend a week or two here, every once in a while, but it will be different. I won't be my mom's kid anymore. I'll be a mom. I'll be a wife. I'll have a homebase, 3000 miles away. Living a completely different life than I could imagine, or my mom could imagine.

I'll move over and over for the next chapter of my life, my only constant will be the man I'm married to and our kids. New houses, new schools, new jobs. Over and over. Getting to be with my husband for a year and then saying goodbye for seven months. Plans changing last minute.

This is my last Wallowa County Summer. My last summer as a kid. I want to spend it at the lake. I want to spend it with my friends, riding my bike, visiting my grandparents, looking at the stars, and enjoying how simple my life is right now. Enjoying the job I have, the people around me. Having giant open space to sing and not be heard, to run and not be seen.Wedding planning will start soon, and I can only imagine what that will look like, so I hope to soak in the quiet, normal, same thing I do every day.

Don't get me wrong. I can't wait to live near the coast, have it be summer all year around, get to live in the magic of being married to my best friend on the planet, and sending my mom pictures of all the lizards I see on the sidewalks, but right now, its time for me to love where I'm at.

Until I get inspired again,
Georgia

I Just Realized I might be Clueless

I will REALLY miss being a farm girl. 

No more wide-open pastures. No more miles of empty roads. No more driving past cattle trucks that smell like fresh cow poop. No more chickens in my yard (after their crafty escape), no more frolicking calves. No more tractors...

I might drive past it, I might catch a whiff of pigs or cows or hear sheep as we drive past. I might get to see someone else driving a tractor, but I will really miss it being ME. 

I love feeling capable. I love feeling like I am able to do something, or figure it out. I love learning new things, so I can do it on my own, later. I don't know why. I just feel so strong and amazing when I feel like I can do something on my own. Farming has done that for me.

Now, no. I do not live on a ranch with 600 cows, I couldn't run this place on my own, and I might even get laughed at for saying that I love farming, because our farm is pretty small. 

I like having my own projects to be proud of, like irrigating. I love knowing that I can pick up a 25 foot, aluminium pipe, carry it down a field, and connect it. Maybe that doesn't sound like a big deal to you, but to me, it is. Plus, I think you would be surprised that its not actually that easy. 

I will miss driving a tractor. I love feeding cows, shoving the hay off the back of the trailer. I will miss harrowing, and haying season...

I will miss the independence. I will miss feeling like I am accomplishing things that maybe other kids aren't quite strong enough to accomplish. I am in love with feeling independent and capable. 

I want to  know how to fix my car, so I don't need help. I love that I can change my tires, and I want to do it every season, because I love being able to do it myself.

I just realized that I think one of the hardest lessons I have had to learn is being a team player. I don't mean, me having to play for someone else, but letting anyone else play for me. I don't know why its so hard for me. I want to be able to do everything on my own. I feel like I am being tossed into this completely unknown world of military, and I will be a "dependa" and I don't want to be. Also... I will be a mom eventually????? 

I don't want to be dependent. I can do this on my own. I am strong, I am smart, I know how to figure things out. I want to do hard work, to make myself feel valuable and strong. I think that maybe I find my self worth in how hard I can work. I can't imagine a world where I don't have to do hard work. Where I don't have to drive a tractor, or move gravel, or feed chickens, or mow a lawn, or pick up rocks from a field. I don't have to change irrigation pipe, or work three jobs, or figure things out on my own, or even just be on my own. 

I know how to mix formula for a baby cow, or sheep, but not a human baby. I know when you're supposed to vaccinate an animal, I know when to throw hay off the trailer, how to give a horse a bath, muck stalls, drive a stick shift, splint a broken sheep leg, talk to chickens, and get a squirrel out of a pipe for my dog, but I'm supposed to take care of another human??? Even an adult human.. that's terrifying. Half the time, I don't even eat. So for me its like, why bother making a meal. I know how to cook but like dang. I'm supposed to make three meals a day?? For the rest of my life? Are there even that many recipes on pinterest? 

I will really miss being a farm girl. I'll miss being able to say I'm a farm girl. Maybe I wasn't much of a farm girl. Maybe I wasn't obsessed with horses, I didn't do rodeo circuit (but I was on a Fair court), I grumbled when my mom told me to get the eggs, I delayed going out in a blizzard to feed cows, I procrastinated on changing pipe, and I was scared of tractors, and I am still a little bit scared of cows. Vaccinations made me queasy (I hate needles) 

Maybe moving cows wasnt that, movie perfect picture with everyone working together, maybe we hated having sheep at times, but the fact is, I still got in the dirt. I still did it. I did it, even when I was afraid. Even when I didn't want to. Even when I took a shower before going to feed cows, in hopes that I would not have to feed cows, and wound up feeding cows with wet hair. I STILL DID IT. Maybe my lines were not always straight, but by golly, I was thrilled that I got to do it. That I could look up at our pasture and see that I had accomplished something most kids my age, never will.  

So yeah. I will miss being a farm girl. I'll miss sunburned noses, windburnt faces, flakey shoulders, freezing cold toes, bottle feeding at 10 PM, having bummer calves and sheep and pigs chilling out in my mud room, trying to survive. Its crazy, its messy, its an emotional roller coaster, but its mine. 

I know how to be a farm girl. I love being a farm girl. I think it makes me special and different. I'm not sure what I will be if thats not a part of who I am in the future. 

Chilean follow up

It's been just over three months since I touched down in America after my mission. Although the honeymoon phase is over, the everlasting presence of Jesus is still with me. We were told that what happened on that little island, would disappear and the world would seep into our bodies as soon as we got back to America. I remember standing on the stage of my church, telling a congregation that Chile changed me, in a permanent and forever way, only to hear that our change would be temporary.

Well, it's been three months and my hope and peace still rest in Jesus. I’m not going to lie, Corona freaked me out a little. I have family members, grandparents, soon to be grandparents, that I want to be there for my wedding, plans I didn’t want wrecked, and then, even potentially not being able to see my betrothed this year. I was worried for my family all over the world. Daniel, my friend (who's closest to my age) that was on the Chilean team, kept me informed on the situation down there, and thanks to facebook and text messaging, I got to keep up with the rest of my friends and family.

The news was dark. It seemed that no matter where you looked, there was hoards of fear, and anger, and somehow, being sick became a political game and we were all trapped inside, apart from the ones we loved, apart from schools (I really. REALLY miss my kiddos), away from work, and beaches, and even just fresh air. We were afraid to go grocery shopping, safeway became a cattle shoot, with signs directing everyone where to go, and max capacity was at 50% (if even). Dirty looks were given in grocery store isles, rude comments were made about lack of masks, and chaotic stories kept coming from the news.

We will end the quarantine in two weeks. Well, maybe six. Actually, lets keep this going for two years. Wear your mask! You're killing people! Don’t wear a mask, you're killing yourself. Constitutional rights were in question, extremes were taken, and the only thing that seemed to be absolute, was fear.

Yet, somehow through all of it, I wasn't afraid. Even when I felt like that is how I needed to react. Even when I felt pressure to be afraid, or to stay locked in my house. All I could do was sing worship music and laugh with my mom, as we both had time off. We started awesome projects at our house and got a lot done. I wasn't working. I had no income. There was no stimulus to help me out, and benefits never kicked in. Financially, this sucked for me. This honestly sucked for me in general.

However, I still found my hope in Jesus, and as our state and country opens back up to the  bright, disinfecting UV rays of summer, I still have no fear. God is not shocked by this pandemic.  People are coming to Him in THRONGS. Churches are all over the internet. Suddenly… it's not scary to go to church. No judgement passes. No matter how you look, because you open up your laptop, with a facemask on and messy hair and a coffee in hand and BAM. You are in God’s house.

The bible says (even in red letters, so you know it's important) DO NOT FEAR, more times than it says anything else. Why? Because God is in control.

NIV Matthew 6:26  “Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?”

God made us in His image. He didn't send His son to die for the birds. He sent His son to die for US, so who are we to assume that our choices, like opening churches backup so we can meet again, will really end lives? In the book of Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were thrown into the hottest furnace the king could make. Men died putting them in the fire, it was so hot! Yet, later, the king saw not three, but four men, walking around in the fire like it was nothing. Could you imagine??? Not even three whole chapters later, Danile is thrown into a lion's den. You’ve all heard the story. HE LIVED.

Not to mention, Lazarus was dead four days (side note: here is some context for you. In that culture, the spirit left the body after three days, so his spirit had 100% left his body), and Jesus yelled “come out” and bam. There he was, full of spirit and everything. Clearly, God has the final authority on death.

My people, don’t be afraid. God knows the time and the place. We can not make choices for him (SIDE NOTE. The bible also tells us to not tempt the father, so throwing yourself off a bridge to prove that God is dead, is a really bad idea. Besides, if you have zero faith that He will actually save you…. How is He supposed to save you????).

The Lord has a plan. Faith happens in the waiting. God does not want us to be afraid to meet up, and gather, and be His church.

Jacob Hunter

Jacob, AKA, MY little brother

My LITTLE brother. That towers over me at a whopping 6'2. Plays varsity procrastination, Cross Country, participated in high jump, discus, javelin, 15/3, distance medley, and hurtles in Track. Rocked the world of FFA, grew leaps and bounds in 4-H, and is the CEO of annoying me and making me laugh all in the same hour.

I will use bad humor in this blog, because I am very sad and yet happy to be writing it and I don't know how else to handle my emotions.

It all started on a day I don't remember. Mom brought baby Jacob home from the hospital, and I guess from that day on, we were best friends. Jake and I did everything together. I was, of course, the bad influence (hehe)

I was there to convince him to eat an entire tub of ice cream with me on the back porch. I was there to convince him to coat himself in mud, and get in all sorts of trouble with me.

Ugh. I'm really going to miss him. When we were little, we  always played together. We threw objects at the highway (accidentally hitting a cop car with a rock, we were less than 3), climbed in trees to look at eagle eggs, and having dance parties in our shared room, because I was destroying all the pretty things in my older sisters room.

Somehow, Jacob always ended up getting hurt. One time, we were playing in the tire swing my dad made us (while we lived in Colfax) and my sister and I had wound him up so high, that when we let go, the speed of the swing and the weight of my tiny little brother snapped the rope. It was kinda amusing to watch his feet flying around and around so fast until the rope broke and he ended up on the ground.

When we moved to Oregon, we played in the lawn barefoot and ran around our neighborhood together, meeting friends on the streets and riding our bikes around the school grounds after hours. As we got older, our fun became listening to music in our cars while we drove literally anywhere, jumping in the lake fully clothed, eating Ben and Jerri's outside in the summer, and sitting on one of the freezers in our garage, eating our parents ice cream.

Jake has always been my best friend. No matter what age, or stage of life, or even the activity we were doing. Even when I had my little friends in grade school. Jacob was my best friend. He is loyal, and smart and brave. He makes me laugh so hard I can't breathe and I cry, he pushes me harder when we run together and I want to jog but that's not really *working out* (apparently)

He has always had my back. We used to camp outside all summer, close enough to the house that we still had WiFi, and we would stay up giggling over memes all night. When Billy and I started dating, we would even look at memes and laugh with him too, even if he could just hear us wheezing at ourselves over the phone.

He gets me milkshakes and slides chocolate bars under my door when I am too upset to be normal. He makes jokes until I crack a smile, and then he just starts being a goof. He costs me tons of money in gas, because he sticks his feet out the window of my car and creates massive wind drag. We face mask together, when we were younger, he let me do his makeup and dress him up (he was really little)

He was my date to every high school dance, my date to go get fries and a shake on a hot summer day, the weirdo that ate popcorn with chopsticks at youth group, the insane one that jumped in the lake, fully clothed with me after I graduated high school, and the shocker that delivered a sentimental, yet odd speech at my Alt. Ed. graduation. He was even my buddy to talk to on long late night walks to clear our heads and get fresh air.

The thing is. I am really going to miss Jacob. Leaving for college was hard for me, because I knew that my best friend on the planet was going to be in a completely different state than me. We even had a plan, that he was going to college somewhere close so we could hang out. We have even made plans of being friends with each others spouses and hanging out and living in some southern state and noodling (I guess that's a form of fishing?).

This year, my little brother will be graduating from EHS, and going the the University of Idaho in the fall. He has worked so insanely hard to get a ton of scholarships, and graduating with stellar grades. He has been a best friend to many 4-H campers, a leader in every situation that needed one, an ambitious achiever in FFA, and a loyal, loyal brother to me.

I am so proud of him.

God knew that life for us was going to be interesting and challenging, so he blessed me with a little brother. There is so much to say. So much love to express. I'm so proud of him and blown away by his amazing accomplishments and the man he is becoming. I could write an entire book and the adventures of Jake and I. I do not know how things will play out after he leaves for college, and I get married and move to Lord knows where. I just really really freaking hope that we stay a part of each others lives.

         conGRADulations, Jacob Hunter, I will be cheering you on, no matter where I am.

Momma

I'm getting married soon. I've only been engaged three months, and we don't even have a date yet, but its happening. Before I turn 22, I will be Georgetta Nichole Wisor, and this whole thing just has me thinking about my mom a lot.

I just recently watched my mothers wedding video, and boy. Shes gorgeous. Shes beautiful. I didn't know my mom when she was my age. I didn't know my mom when she was 23, and I didn't know my mom on her wedding day, but I can see her in her smile. I can still see that youthful, fun loving woman. Shes so beautiful, it takes my breath away and it makes me cry a little. My mom doesn't wear flower print jeans, or leather jackets anymore (I wear her clothes for her :) ), but every time she smiles, every time she laughs, I can still see the girl that is in her senior photos. Her wedding video, the pictures of her and her sisters and HER mom.

My mom was at the door with open arms, every day I came home from school in tears over what some kid said that day. My mom wiped my tears and told me she loved me. My mother was in and out of the principals office, defending my honor after I was falsely accused. For YEARS she was in and out of that office, defending me against the rest of the world. 

My mom drove me to all of my sports practices, she was at every game, and she brought the best snacks when it was her turn. My mom also went above and beyond to give me the best birthday parties in school, knowing it was the only hour out of every school year, where kids WANTED to be my friend, because I got to pick who did "heads up, 7 up" with me. 

My mom ate the gross creations we made in the kitchen, with a smile on her face. She made me feel remarkably special when she took me on trips in her Thunderbird car. My mom was my biggest fan. She fought so hard for me. I know I was not an easy kid. I was messy, I was dramatic, I sucked in school, I was always sick, I was boy crazy (but only for like, 11 years) I think that at the end of the day, I was just a crazy twerp.

My mom gave up a lot for me. I was NOT easy to raise.

As I got older, my actions had bigger reactions, like changing schools, and a totaled car and a heavy heart. My sunny disposition and chubby fingers turned into depression and starving myself, and my mom was right there to root me on, to motivate me and comfort me through it.

When we found out that I was always sick because of gluten, my mom was the one to remember, even when I forgot. She made sure I felt confident in my new outfits every year, when I decided to cut all my hair off, dye it black, and perm it, my mom was there beside me (making sure I didn't make any really awful hair choices), and helping me pick out new outfits so I could feel totally boss, and rand new.

My mom has always been the one in the kitchen, teaching me how to cook. Teaching me how to bake (even when I was rebelling against her help), always the one to confide in and talk to, always the one with the best playlists, and always my fav person to day dream about making music videos to our fav songs. Even now, my mom is going to bat for me when people say crule things about my Fiance and I. 

I forgot to stop and look and realize and SEE. I forgot to pause for a second and live in the moments. For a second, I was so wrapped up in myself and my own world and my own problems, that I forgot to look around me and see the actual beauty.

So yeah. I'm losing my mind, and therefor dancing like an idiot and filming it, but quarantine has helped me look at my mom, because its just been the two of us (until the boys come home). Yes, big scary and major things are happening all over the world, but what if you stop focusing on the big scary out there, and realize the beauty inside the walls we are all trapped in right now?

You might see something amazing.

I love you momma. Happy mothers day. No matter what my last name is, I will always be your little girl 

Growing Up a Farm Kid

I miss Spokane. I miss Walmart being a seven minute drive away, I miss having an array of coffee shop choices, all within 5 minutes of my house, I miss having a paved driveway to skateboard in, but let me tell you. It is SO good to be back on the farm. 

I missed the cows. I missed the smell of the cows. I missed having miles and miles and miles, of what feels like my very own road, because the only people that drive it, are lost tourists, and farmers. I even missed the farm work. 

I grew up so blessed. I drove the tractor for my dad in the winters, while he fed cows, or I got in my ab workout and pushed the hay off the tractor, myself. I spent my summers, rolling over hay bales so my dad could drive by with the trailer and throw them on. I lugged aluminum pipe all over a hillside, played in the mud with my little brother, had insane make-believe adventures in our treehouse. We rode our bikes all over, going at least 7-14 miles a day. We had tons of yard space to run and laugh with our dogs, and we could yell camp songs as loud as we wanted and only the older couple whose house was next to our field, could hear us. 

I didn’t know it at the moment, but I was living some of my favorite years of my life, so far. I grew up, working hard, understanding responsibility, and the value of a life. I watched animals give birth, and I watched animals pass away, I raced my best friend on miles of green pasture, and I sat on the back of my pony while he grazed in our yard (while wearing an insanely stylish home-made cape) I was at branding parties, learned to give my very own lambs, vaccines. Mixing milk formula and feeding bummers, two to three times a day. Collecting eggs, shooting squirrels like it was a chore, throwing rocks into a trailer, and getting dirty.

 I grew up, learning to face my fears. This one time, I was petting our bottle calf, blue boy, and he knocked me down and started playing (when a cow plays, especially a completely tame steer, it's NOT fun) and then his scaredy cat girlfriend almost kicked me in the head and from that day forward, I was terrified to even be in the same field as cows (even on a tractor). Yet, my dad still had me walking out through the pastures with him. Throwing hay off the tractor, and bottle feeding the babies. There was no room for my fear. Scared to drive the tractor? That's ok, we started in a low gear. Scared to drive the 4-wheeler? That's ok, take it slow. My dad taught me that I was capable of anything. My mom put bandaids on my cuts, and my little brother made me laugh until I felt better. 

It's just now occurring to me how much I really did, what living on a farm really did for me. I developed skills at age 9, that a ton of kids will never have (like driving a stick shift). It wasn't glamorous, I’d hop in the truck with a mix of mud and cow poop on my face, but I loved it. My parents used to say “it builds character” and I would roll my eyes and probably say something mean, but looking back, it really did. Get dirty? Take a shower. Physically hard? It will feel rewarding when you're done. Scared? That's ok, take it slow. Don't know how? It's easy to ask. 

My little brother and I would laugh so hard, we always made our work fun, and I think maybe that's part of the reason we are so close. My parents really gave us a magical and amazing childhood by planting us on a farm. I had no idea how much we would grow, how much we would learn, and what a bright summer those memories would be. 

Gosh, it's insane to me. I have friends that I went to school with, that lived in town, and have no idea what it was like to grow up on a farm. It's not just living in a rural community, it's being a part of what makes the community rural. I didn't know it. I a little bit hated it at the time, but looking back now. It feels so good to know that I grew up a farm kid. I grew up on KWVR country, and that was all I needed for relaxing.  

So, to all the parents, and all the kids that are thinking of joining 4-H or FFA, I say go for it. Please. Because even if you never travel across the country, or across the world on some grand leadership trip, you learned about taking care of an animal, even if it's just a small taste of what it's really like. It will change your life for the better, every hard second of getting it halter broke. Every time it steps on your foot while you wear flip flops, every time you have to chase it around your yard because it got away from you, it's worth it, and someday you will laugh at all the memories, and your life will be fuller, because you did.

Military Date Night

Ugh. Long distance. My Fiance and I have pretty much always been long distance. Of course, we have had those months when we loved a couple blocks from each other, but since he has joined the military, its been over a year of nothing but long distance, with a few week long trips to see him. (two trips)

So how the heck do we keep things interesting? Well, we live each day with the goal in mind to make it an adventure to tell each other about. Meaning, if all I do is wash the dishes and clean my car, then you bet it was the most amazing car wash session I have ever had and my interior SPARKLES like Mr. Clean HIMSELF was the one who did it. If all he did was study, then you bet he learned some good stuff he cant tell me because its classified, but!! It was insanely interesting and he's really excited for his next sim (BTW, hes been crushing it. His instructors are even impressed with him. Me? I'm not surprised. Just insanely proud)

But Georgia, isn't it boring to just talk on the phone? Yeah. It really is. Luckily, that is not all we do. Oh no, we shake things up!

First, we read the bible together every night. This time, it was his turn to pick the book, so we are in Samuel. We do like, a little bible study. He catches things I have never heard, and to make things even more interesting, we even ask my mom what she thinks its saying. I personally love this time with him. I love listening to him read the Bible to me. I really love him talking to me about what he thinks, and noticing little things I don't notice.

We also play video games. I can't believe that I am actually admitting this. Yes, Billy Wisor is trying to teach me to play a video game. I can not remember the name of it, but he video calls me and then we are on the same team and its basically capture the flag, and he has to coach me through all of it because I don't know anything about video games. Bless his soul, I ask so many questions it probably annoys him haha

We also video call to watch movies. that way, we can see each other while we watch a movie on our laptops, and we can talk and see each others reactions and stuff. I really enjoy it. We switch who picks the movies. He likes watching Guardians of the Galaxy (which I don't mind. HEllo Chris Pratt), I educate him on Disney musicals. Our next movie will be "10 Things I Hate About You", which I found out he also liked the other night!!! I was very excited. I love that movie!!!

We also like to face time to do random things, like a skincare routine, or I teach him a new little dance, or just how to dance. The other day, we were video calling just to video call, and we both fell asleep. Its just nice to be around each other. My mom thinks our conversations are just that boring. (kidding. She was kidding)

Its hard. I mean, there are tons of moments when we just laugh and giggle and we are totally goofy, but there are also moments when my heart hurts because I wish I could rest my head on his shoulder, or something happened in the day and one of us just needs a hug, and the best we can do is say that we're right there, and stay on the phone until its more okay. I struggle, because I want to make him feel loved and supported and taken care of, but there is only so much I can do from across the country.

This relationship has changed a lot in the past few months, but our relationship changes all the time. I move different places, work different hours. School adds more stress to him. He leaves for training for a week and we can't talk. I leave for two weeks on a mission and we can't talk. New issues pop up, internet goes down, phones stop working or wont charge. Its never a guarantee that I will be able to talk to him in a day.

I get to plan a wedding with him 3000 miles away, and a lot goes into that that I didn't even know. Like, the details on an invite? I completely forgot about that. Not to mention, we are young. We will both be half way through our 21st year of life when we get married (well, he will almost be 22) if things even go the way we want them to, but we don't know yet because we are waiting on the military.  Do I just want to elope and start my life? Uhm, heck yes. Will I? No. Our future is worth more than that. The waiting, is killing me. The distance is driving me crazy. I'm across the country from my best friend, with nothing but a phone to keep us connected and it honestly sucks.

I would not do this if it was not worth it, and believe me, its worth it.  Every hello, proves it. Every time his hand brushes mine and I remember that hes finally RIGHT THERE. Its everything. I put on a smile, every day. I get my work done, and I live my life like its an adventure to share with the one I love. I pray to God He opens an opportunity for me to go see Billy. I do what I can to distract myself from the fact that hes not here, but this sucks.

Every time he kisses me goodbye, I have no idea when I get to see him again. We have no idea how long this engagement will last because we don't know when he deploys. I miss him. I cry when hes not listening, I do my best to laugh when hes around, but I know in my heart that at the end of the day, no matter how long this day is, he will be there. He will be there to tell me he loves me and that hes going to be with me again soon. So I will wait. I will have a military date night, I will wait every day until he calls, and I will love him with all I've got, from 3000 miles away.

I know that its hard to understand. Why would anybody do that? Why would anybody choose that for themselves? And even if you know why, its still hard to understand what it feels like, or why its so hard. I joke about having the house to myself for six months every once in a while, I know I joke about. Everything, but I don't know how else to be okay when I wake up every day, missing my best friend.

So. Today, I will put on my makeup, I will dress cute, and I will hand you your morning coffee out the window. I will smile while I do my tasks, and I will answer with "we aren't sure yet" when you ask me about wedding details. I will laugh and tell you its okay and that we are rocking it when you tell me that it must suck, and I'll have another military date night. One less day until I see him again, I just don't know how many more are ahead of me.

Who am I When No One is Watching?

Do ya'll remember me asking this at the end of all my blogs? Yeah. Wow I was like. 16. That's crazy. I'm 20 now. Oh, and I have blue in my dark short hair. I love it, I feel very me. I love my light hair, and it will return to its natural color and it will grow longer. I will look normal by the time I get married. This was just a fun switch up for me! So. Let me show you a picture and lets get into it!!

Okay, so. Who am I when no one is looking?

I love Jesus. I love reading the Bible. I love traveling to do good for Him. I love listening to worship music. I love listening to music in general. If I'm in the kitchen, there is a dance party going on. Like, Hannah Montana cranked to the max in my headphones, dancing around while I do the dishes. Or my birthday playlist, which is actually just a bunch of songs with the word "birthday" in the title, that I made to listen to in the coffee shop on my birthday. The coffee shop is also a dance party when I am there. I just love dancing. I love the way it feels to convert how music makes me feel, into actions and movements. I love how freeing it is. What a great way to relax and destress.

I also love to sing. I love singing. I can't sing to save my life, but I will often pause songs to see if I can sing that part or hit those notes. I love writing music. I love writing.

OH. COMMUNITY SERVICE. I love community service. Ugh, I forgot how long its been! I used to do those breakfast every Tuesday mornings,  my church in Spokane put t on, and I would volunteer every week. I loved seeing the regulars, and meeting new people. I loved that they knew my name.

Okay well those are all things I do... but who am I? (this is a fun exercise for me)

I care. A lot. I think I care too much sometimes, and things that shouldn't break my heart, do. I'm sensitive in that regard, as well. I just care. I don't want people to hurt. I want to make everyone smile and laugh and maybe feel ok, even if its just for a second. Maybe thats why I am always such a weirdo. Dancing like a dope in the coffee shop, high energy, laughing, always smiling.

I'm also loyal. Insanely loyal, to my friends, my family, the people I love. Even the people I don't know. I try to be kind to everyone, but I know I mess that up sometimes. I also try to be patient, but I also tend to want to know everything RIGHT NOW so we can figure it out and I don't have to think about it anymore.

I'm 20 and I still struggle with self confidence. I try really hard to be chill and ok, but I also tend to always feel my emotions intensely, meaning I feel hurt, and anger, and pain, and joy, and laughter. Its all at full volume, which is a lot on my little brain. Its a lot on the people around me. I try to put others before myself, I try to stick true to how I feel or what I think, or what I write, but I am not awesome at taking constructive criticism, and I often feel like I'm being told that I am wrong, or stupid, or that my biggest supporters don't like what I am doing.

BUT. On a positive note, I will always be the most fun person. I will sing in the car, I will dance in the car, I will laugh at your jokes with you, I will do my best to make you feel good, and even though I am a lot, a lot of the time, I can tell when to tone it back and be quiet with you. 

I love dancing. I know I have said this like a million times but I love it. I can't talk without dancing. I can't write without dancing. I don't even notice that I am dancing, it just happens. I will probably hitting the woah and doing the dougie while I say my vows. I can already see my moms look, and Billy laughing wile trying to be serious. Will I even be able to say my vows without quoting song lyrics?

I over think! I just remembered that, as I sat and wondered if I should write my vows, and then practice saying them in the mirror without moving. We don't even have a date set. Maybe I'm actually just crazy. All the time, people watching or not.

I honestly think I am pretty much the same person, all the time. Except I don't think I would be ok with people seeing me in my sweatsuit. So I guess I dress nicer in public. Either way, my jokes are still lame to everyone but me, my dance moves look like spasms, and sentences are interrupted by my other thoughts. Don't get me wrong, I know I am awesome. I dance awesome, and my jokes are really funny, you just have to understand me.

Anyways!! I love seeing comments from you guys. My blog is my creative safe space and I love sharing my thoughts and my heart with you. Please share my blog! Leave a comment so I know you were here. I love you guys, all of you. Each time you open my blog, you are helping me achieve my goals.

Spring Cleaning

Spring cleaning.

A large act of cleaning, usually met with an obligatory feeling, because all your neighbors are.

But "spring cleaning" has always meant so much more to me.

Spring. What a wonderful time to take off our heavy sweater, and uncover our skin. To open windows and give homes a breath of fresh air. Spring, early spring, is usually calving season. A time of birth.  The heavy winter snow melts away, life slowly emerges from the dirt, and the air smells fresher than it has ever. Cars emerge from car washes, making the streets sparkle, and the sun warms the air, later into the day, giving extra time to soak in its rays.

Not to mention, its my birthday. (Yay me. Thank you, mom)

This year, spring cleaning was especially important and meaningful to me. As most of you know by now, I am engaged to my best friend, William (Billy) Wisor. However, I also turned 20 this year, AND the rest of the world is also celebrating a new decade. What better time to pause and clean?

In Chile (Check out my last blog to read about it, I'll link at the end), I learned so much about who I am as a person, and also about what role I want to play in the kingdom of God, that in itself was refreshing, and an awesome kick start to the changes I am planning to see, in my own life. I always have such a hard time in the winters. My heart grows heavy, my body aches for the sunshine, and my bones hurt from lack of heat. I'm like a lizard, I guess. My body shuts down in the cold, and I need to sit under a hot lamp to reach full energy and mobility.

Spring is always an amazing time for me. Not only is my physical body, exploding with happiness, my mental state is alive with anticipation. Summer is coming. Endless nights, lake days. Oh, the HOURS of laughter with my brother, yard camping. High energy at work... All of my favorite things (possibly including a trip to see my love!!) But spring, spring is the starting line, before the race. Spring is shaking off the snow, and welcoming another adventure around the sun. Spring showers wash away the salt on the roads, and spring sunshine washes away the burden that winter lays on me.

This year, I went a little crazy. I feel justified, though. Seeing as I, myself, am starting a new decade, I am getting married soon, and I have a fresh outlook and direction. I got rid of pretty much all of my clothing. Like, donated all of it. I had four shirts in my closet. It didn't fit, didn't feel right, and the rest of it, I knew probably wouldn't fit by next winter (or I just didn't like it anymore) and guys, let me tell you.

Ok I spent like, $60 and I redid my entire wardrobe. Hello thrift shopping!! Seriously, go thrift shopping, especially if you're my age (or size). Most people that thrift shop, are looking for clothes for kids younger, or older than us. So we have tons of really awesome options! (especially because our moms donate the clothes we don't take to college, so we have lots of options. Not everyone wares the same styles or clothes, so there is usually a good variety.)  Plus, if you don't like it, you can donate it back and you're out, 25 cents. No return hassles, you don't have to keep receipts, and you will probably find a quarter on the ground somewhere soon. I also love the look of shock on people's faces when they ask me where I got my outfit, and  I tell them I got the whole thing for a dollar. To add a few statement pieces, find a nicer store having a sale. I was lucky enough to stumble across a Macy's that was closing, and everything was like, 80-90% off. I got a vest, a really heckin cute tee, and a really nice purse!! Little pieces that make me feel really confident when I wear them.

I also love to change my hair. Outward appearance is the best way to show a change, quickly. Plus, it feels fresh and fun! I try to avoid looking in the mirror too much, because I can leave my house feeling good, until I catch my reflection, and I don't look how I remembered and I feel discouraged and ugly for the rest of the day, so its always fun for me to get the peaks in the morning while I do my makeup, and see a new person smiling at me!

Remember though, outward appearance is not what is most important. Its a fun accessory to match your awesome personality. I always strive to be more kind, to laugh easier, and stress less. Spring is also a time for me to refresh my heart, and check where I am at. Sometimes, I can get really down on myself, and that bleeds into how I interact with others. I am also perceived as the girl that is always awake and happy and excited, so I feel like its important for me to always put on that front, especially when I know that the people around me, need me to be a little bit of sunshine in their day. Spring is a wonderful time for me to take a moment and relax. Cleaning is relaxing for me, and its always refreshing for my mind to be able to look around me and see order in my physical life, giving me peace on the inside of my heart.

I love to have clean, and empty space. I don't like clutter. I am not a fan of having stuff, just to have stuff. Pretty much everything I own has more of a purpose. I know that everyone is different, I just think it feels really good to walk into a mostly empty room, with just a few items that are needed. Its easier to keep clean, easier to organize, less to dust, and I feel like it allows a space to really breathe, and I love love space that breathes.

Spring cleaning for me, has always felt like as I threw open windows, I was opening my arms; letting myself out of the entrapment I have been stuck in all winter. I love spring. I love spring cleaning, and all that it can mean. I love how randomly beautiful life is. I pray that this spring season, we can all find peace in the midst of the is corona virus, and enjoy the world blooming around us. Stay clean, hydrated, and a healthy distance away. Don't forget to share the toilet paper, and above all, BE KIND to your neighbors and those struggling around you. Spring is a wonderful time. Maybe today is an awesome chance for you to open your windows, invite some brisk air in, and kick the stale air of winter, out!

With love,
Georgia

CHILE BLOG: http://justgeorgetta.blogspot.com/2020/03/party-in-potato-field.html

Party in a Potato Field

Wow, it took me a month to finally get this post together haha.

When I was 15, and I chose Jesus, I was told that throughout my life, scales would fall from my eyes at different points in my walk, and it would be like meeting Jesus, over and over again.

I was so scared about coming on this trip. I was scared I wasn’t physically strong enough to do the manual labor. I was scared I wouldn’t be wise enough or mature enough in my faith. And what if something happened? What if I somehow slowed the group? Or became a handicap? One bit of flour could have me throwing up for the next 24 hours.

Not to mention, my mind was heavy with questions pertaining to my own life, that had nothing to do with this mission. As the day of departure got closer and closer, I felt more and more scared. I was good with kids, but really, what did I have to offer? I was with people who had real skills. Like, building fences and powerful testimonies and carpentry skills and medical skills. I was just Georgia. Could I dig potatoes? Heck yeah. Was I really awesome with kids? Also yes. Other than that? I wasn't really sure. 

And then. We found out there were no kids on this island. That night, I lay in bed and just asked God. Why. Why am I here? Why did you drag me across the world? I’m not even good at anything. Can you imagine? My mom and I had prayed together that I could break the language barrier to minister to kids, and that He would let me be a tool to show His glory to the kids... and there were none. I felt like my whole ministry had been completely striked. What the heck was I doing?  

Well God answered that, and a million other prayers I didn’t even know I was praying. I gave my very first devotional during this trip, and it was like God was using me to talk to myself. Telling me I was chosen. Loved. Worthy. Redeemed. Forgiven. A true child of God, and therefore, absolutely not what this world said. God completely revealed Himself to me, through my words, and also through everyone around me. 

Even during down time, and not doing mission work, God spoke to me through two women. Joyce and Michelle. The two American women that came on this trip with me. I wanted to follow them, wherever they went. I got to go on one or two medical calls with them, and a few different walks. They shared with me, not only about what they had personally been through, but also wisdom pertaining to my life's situations and my impending marriage. 

I was so worried that God wouldn’t use me to to change someone else’s life, that I forgot he might be using this opportunity, to change mine. For the first time in a really long time, I couldn’t distract myself with friends or Instagram or even just laughing with my little brother.

The devil worked hard on me, highlighting all my flaws, mocking me for my joy, making me feel stupid and insignificant making me question if I heard God right and I was supposed to be here. Thinking about it now, it was like a spiritual workout. The devil was resistant, or my weight, and Jesus was my strength, helping me lift it. Over and over until the pathetic little lies I was being fed, hardly felt like anything in my hands.

Scales fell. This strong confidence grew in my core. God gave me so many opportunities to prove to myself that I was more than physically capable of the manual work. He showed me that what I said had an impact. Honestly. God walked into my heart and opened my eyes.

I woke up every morning, with joy in my heart and an eagerness to get to work. Every day was a brand new adventure. Miles and miles away from my mom and everything I knew, completely unable to connect with them, and God gave me the greatest connection of my life.

So. What is this profound change I claim to have experienced in my life.

Confidence.

It sounds so simple. It sounds so easy. Right? I’m not talking about confidence when I look in the mirror.

I’m not afraid of not being enough. I’m not afraid that this mission didn’t affect me the way others might have wanted it to. I’m not worried that I didn’t change in the right way. I’m not worried that I’m too small for changing the world I know who I am. I KNOW who I am. I know who the Lord of my life is, and I’m not worried about not being good enough anymore. I know the path that God has set me on, and I’m confident in it.

Jesus gave me this life, filled with everything it’s contained, good and bad. All of it a blessing because it’s built me into the woman I am today, and I can honestly say that I am proud of myself. Which, for those of you who have followed my blog for a while, you know that I have been working towards that for a REALLY long time. 

So how will this work continue for me? I might not be digging acres of potatoes, or splitting wood, or walking miles daily to bring a sick woman some soup, but I want to start a young woman’s bible study, and talk about my life. How God has changed me and worked in me. I want to empower other young women to not look in the mirror with eyes of the world, but look in the mirror with God's eyes. To see their redeemed beauty, made strong by the Lord.

I want to make every day, the best day of my life, and I want to continue to boldly share that love that has given me the best day of my life, for 6,988 days in a row now. (That's 19 years and 51 days)

I laughed so much on this mission. I laughed at myself, I laughed with my team, I laughed with people whose language I didn't understand. I became friends with strangers, shared excitement over things I had never heard of, cried with my brothers and sisters, consumed with love. I learned to surrender to Jesus and I know the power of His name. 

It is real. I have seen it, and it lives within me. It’s undeniable. It’s beautiful, and it’s powerful. It’s Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit. And God, our father. I will leave you today with a bible verse that Marcelo, the youth pastor from Quilpue, left me with.

1 Timothy 4:12

Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity.

Now for the more fun part of this blog....