I’ve been bad about not blogging lately, probably as a result of Working, Plurking, and Dot. Oops. Luckily now we’ve gathered others to the website to alleviate some of our guilt about laziness in posting.

If you’re not in Lubbock, you may not be aware of the mosquito absurdity taking place here. I’m convinced it’s one of Pharaoh’s plagues and think someone needs to let the Israelites go already so I can live without fear once again. These aren’t normal mosquitoes, either. They’re super-sized, just-sucked-the-blood-of-every-STD-infected-college-student-in-town-and-now-headed-my-way, giant, persistent, sadistic mosquitoes. And they’re EVERYWHERE. It’s surely a direct result of the light flooding we had a couple weeks ago, but their ubiquitousness is ridiculous. They love some people and leave the others alone, and unfortunately, I’m one of the lucky loved ones. I’m freaked out about leaving the house. I try to wear long sleeves, run to my car, and lock the doors, as if they’ve somehow managed to pick car door locks and I’m really just that tasty. I’ve almost run off the road several times trying to kill one in the car with me, and I’m not the only person I know who’s been in that situation recently.
They’re here, they’re terrifying, and they freak me out.

But moving on.
In a day and a half, I’ll finally be headed toward China. It’s hard to believe how much has happened just in the past couple months since I committed to go on the trip. And now I’m so, so, so terribly excited about everything. I’m excited about the trip, about seeing China and experiencing new people and a new culture. I’m excited about the work we’re going to do there and the ways I know God’s going to work in all of us. I’m also excited about the long plane rides, a day’s worth of travel, several different airports, and staying in a hotel (of sorts) for two weeks. That’s not sarcasm, either. I LOVE everything about traveling. Jet lag even has a bit of charm for me. I’m excited to leave Lubbock for a couple weeks, to leave my responsibilities, and most of all, my job. Praise God there’s not Rockfish in China.
I’m ready, I’m stoked, and I’m almost completely packed. I still encourage all of you to please pray for us as we prepare to leave and for the entirety of the time we’ll be gone. I realize it’s not without dangers, but I’m completely at peace with what we have in store.

And I’ve said it before, but I’ll say it again: Ray LaMontagne is one of the most amazingly talented, vocally beautiful and enticing, men ever in existence. I adore him so much.

Surprisingly, that’s all for now.

Peace, love, and happy travel times.