Leaving: Seattle....Destination: Ethiopia

(Saying goodbye at the Seattle airport. Lucy had no idea what was happening...she was wondering why I was kissing and hugging her so much. She finally kept pushing me away! Of course she was wearing her dalmatian jacket and beads!)

I left Seattle on Thursday, April 9th. I was headed to Ethiopia for a Humanitarian expedition with a non-governmental organziation (NGO) called Village of Hope. I went with my mom, dad, and brother Randy. I was definitely nervous. I was leaving Lucy and John for 2 whole weeks! Preparing for this trip was probably the hardest part!!! Getting all the details ready for ME and MY trip...but I also wanted to ensure JOHN had everything he needed to make my long absence easy on him and Lucy. I knew this trip would be a once in a lifetime opportunity and I can't thank John enough for allowing me to have this amazing experience!!! All the men in Ethiopia couldn't believe I could leave my husband home with my daughter!!! The men don't work much there...the wives do everything...work, cook, take care of the kids, walk to get the water/food, etc...they do everything...so you can understand their surpising reaction to me going away without my family! I know I'm blessed to have an amazing husband who would be willing to do this for me. He knows my desires to help others and my itch to do international work. I'm lucky to have done this. I knew now was as good a time as any...not pregnant, no nursing baby....Lucy would do okay without me. And she did amazing! John's mom and sister came to help, so it was one big party at home. I'm glad it all worked out. I also have to thank my parents for "sponsoring" (as the locals would say) my trip. They have also known my desires to travel to Africa and knew I would have a wonderful experience...and they were right!

The trip didn't start out well. I was supposed to leave Seattle and head to San Francisco to meet up with my family and the rest of the group and then travel all together to DC. Well, there was bad weather in San Francisco, so my flight got delayed 4 hours...but then I would miss my connection, so they put me on the direct flight to DC...but then that flight got delayed 4 hours! So I ended up sitting in the Seattle airport for 8 hours before I finally left for the redeye flight to DC!!! Not fun!

So I met up with the group in DC on Friday morning and then we all got on the plane headed to Rome and then to Addis Ababa. That was one long flight!!! About 9 hours to Rome and then another 7 to Addis!