1,324.4 Miles: Day One

Between Thursday at 2 pm and Tuesday at 2 am I traveled 1,324.4 miles through North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee and then back through North Carolina.

It did my heart so much good.

For about a month I have been planning with a girl named Patricia who goes to Marshall to surprise Erin and Todd. I went to Lebanon with Erin and Todd this past summer. They started dating when the plane touched down at RDU and got engaged on Valentine's Day. I love these kiddos. So, so much.

Patricia went to Daytona Beach Summer Project this past summer with my Lauren and I got to meet her when she came down for the weekend to love on my Lauren. I sent Patricia a message asking to help me surprise the two of them.

Erin is as cute as they come and I knew a surprise with her would include squealing.

At 9:11pm, I found out that I was very correct.

It was beautiful and perfect and I love her so much.

Erin is on the left. This was our first weekend exploring in Lebanon. 

Me and Erin at the petting zoo in Jeita. 

We spent a wonderful four hours together, some at Crusade and the rest walking around Marshall talking about our lives. I hated to hop back in my car, but I knew that Erin had to teach the next day and I also knew that Julia was waiting for me in Richmond, Kentucky.

This was taken two years ago on my last road trip.

Day Two coming soon!!!

Alive!

I am alive! Barely, but I'm still breathing.

My soul is refreshed after this wonderful long weekend. It was the exact nourishment that I needed in order to keep pushing through school for the next seven weeks. I have a few pictures to share later--I was not as picture diligent as I now wish I was--and lots of stories!

A brief run-down of what you get to look forward to...

I climbed a mountain.

I surprised three of my favorite people.

I sat on a front porch swing and heard all about my sisters' lives.

I ate lots of good food.

I explored three different cities.

I never will understand how to cross time zones.

I saw lots of family members.

It was a good weekend.

If you have had a conversation with me over the past month, I have probably had a smile on my face, but the things I said probably weren't encouraging.

After this weekend, a friend texted me and asked how I was doing. My response

"I am happier than I have been in weeks. I'm physically exhausted but I am emotionally, spiritually, and mentally refreshed. Thank God for true love and family."

I can't wait to share my stories.