The List Is Getting Shorter

We just checked off a BIG item on our to-do list.

Matt and I just booked our air travel to India!  I am nervous, but I know this is right and everything will work out.  Something important awaits me in India.

Total in air time is about 21 hours each way.  Our trip going is broken up into two main parts... Denver to Frankfurt/Frankfurt to Chennai.  Each is just under 10 hours.  Then coming home, it's New Delhi to Munich/Munich to Chicago.

I CAN'T WAIT!

Winter Playing

Some people don't mind the freezing cold weather unlike in my last post that highlights my struggles trying to run in these horrific temperatures.  Those "some people" are usually kids.  Here is my 11 year old having a blast out in the freezing wind building a snow fort.  That particular day, she spent about five hours out there.

Here she is again.  Sunny skies on this day but temperatures still in the single digits or low teens.  In these pics, she is digging out her own snow cave.  In the pic below, she is pointing out the huge icicle hanging above her bedroom window.

Taking a short break with some hot chocolate.

This is Emma today.  Her snow cave is still out there (it's been over a week).  Today, her friend is over to help her dig some more.  Right now, it's 15 degrees outside.  But they don't seem to care!

Winter Running

This was me this morning after a quick 3 mile run.  The temperature was ZERO DEGREES!  How do you like the ice crystals in my hair.  You should have seen my friend Natalie.  She had ice crystals in her eyebrows and eyelashes.  

 She looked a little bit like Matt did after his 10 mile run last Friday.  Check out this real live snowman!

When there is packed snow and ice on the ground, these bad boys are just the thing to keep you from slipping.  Yak Trax are a great invention.  I should have showed the underneath part with the steal coils.

Here is Matt and I after a run a couple of weeks ago  It was cold (you can see some ice crystals beginning to form in my hair) but not as freezing as it was today.  How 'bout that snot about to drip from Matt's nose!  Oh, the joys of winter running!

100 Friends Challenge

Matt and I leave for India in 70 days!  I can't believe the time is almost here.  I have been working as a substitute teacher in the school district since September in order to earn the money for our plane tickets, passport and visa fees, and our 4 day tour to the Golden Triangle area of India after our work with Rising Star Outreach is over.  I've pushed myself out of my comfort zone to do this, but I am really liking subbing.

For those of you who are just hearing about Rising Star Outreach for the first time, it is an organization that helps families affected by leprosy in India.  They are striving to help the leprosy colonies become thriving, self sufficient communities.  They do this by... #1 having mobile medical units that go into the colonies to treat those that suffer with leprosy, #2 provide the leprosy-affected with their own small businesses using micro-finance, and #3 educate their children in a safe and healthy environment.

I started our required fundraising for Rising Star Outreach at the end of October.  The amount that is required for us to raise is $2100.  I wanted to first ask family members to donate.  They have contributed $1000!  Thank you Eastman/Wright family!  You are our state-side partners in this work.

Now I would like to ask my friends to share in the blessings of our service to these beautiful people of India.

My goal is to have 100 friends donate at least $10.00 each.  That will bring us to at least $1000!  

I have a lot of great friends, and I know you will pull through for me!

So, please be apart of my 100 Friends Challenge!  

You may click on the Donate Now button here on my blog and donate via credit card on their website.
Or you may send a personal check (put my name on the NOTES line at the bottom) to:

Rising Star Outreach
483 East 100 South
Provo, Utah 84606

The Challenge begins NOW!  

(pictures from Rising Star Outreach.org)