I feel very unprepared!

I went out to TEAM today, and got some logistics worked out. I am almost sure that I am leaving Thursday, February 7th now. They will be checking with the missionaries to make sure all is well. As soon as they get the go-ahead, they will book them! I'll fly to Dulles in Washington DC, and then go on to South Africa on a 19 hour flight....uughh. Not looking forward to that, but hopefully there will be plenty of movies. I also am looking forward to having that alone time, and hopefully meeting some new people.

A bit of good news today....my support level came down to $3,000.00 for the 6 weeks I will be gone. My plane ticket was lower than anticipated....praise the Lord!

I have been so encouraged meeting with professors this week who have allowed me to share my plans, and then prayed with me. It is a blessing knowing that they are behind me all the way!

I'll be going home Friday or Saturday, and am looking forward to being at my home church, and getting together with people. I'm also excited to watch the Superbowl Game, although I am not sure who I am rooting for. I guess I really don't care. I'd like the Giants to win, because they are definitely the underdogs, but I also would like to see a perfect season from the Pats. Go team!

a WICKED time with my friend!

After my fabulous morning at Oprah, I headed out to Bible Study, and then on to the airport to pick up my friend. I met Sue when she took over as the new owner at the daycare I was working at in Michigan. (and I have to say the BEST boss ever!) It was hard leaving the daycare after 6 years of working there, but I am so glad that Sue and I have remained wonderful friends. We try to get-together as often as we can, and I was thrilled when she asked me last week if she could come for a few days. Thursday night, we went to see the broadway show Wicked about the witches from the Wizrd of Oz.(my 4th time...I love it) At every performance, you can put your name into a drawing for $25.00 tickets in the front row. I have tried this four different times, and my name has never been called. Well, Sue's name was called, and we sat center in the front row. It was unbelievable!! We loved every minute of it!

On Friday, we went and saw P.S. I Love You at the movies, and hit a few stores on Michigan Avenue before getting the famous Chicago pizza from Giordano's. It was delicious! It was off to the hotel from there, where we crashed for the night. (Sue had a conference today at the hotel) Whenever we are together, we laugh and laugh, and it is exactly what we both needed. It was so fun having her here. Thanks for a great time Sue!! I love ya!

What a day!

We (Steph, Laura, and I) awoke at 5 a.m. to get ready for our day. We hailed a cab, and headed to Harpo Studios. It was -20 degrees outside with the windchill, but that didn't matter. Our adrenaline was pumping! I had been waiting for this day for almost 3 years. We got in, handed our coats and purses over, and went into a room that began to fill with people. I began watching people, noticing what they are wearing, listening to the conversations around me, and steadying my eyes on the big screen t.v.'s with highlights from the previous years. I'm awed at the gigantic pictures of Oprah with actors and actresses over the years covering the walls...my eyes drawn to my favorite actress, Julia Roberts. It is a beautiful picture. We begin thinking to ourselves and making assumptions if there will be any give-aways....movie tickets, dvd's, etc. After all, the show was LIVE and on Oscar Nominations. We are given a blue sheet of paper where we sign our life away....not really, but seeking our permission for them to display us on television. If you do not sign, you cannot go in. We were excited to sign, hoping that they would catch a glimpse of us. After waiting in the room for over an hour, the time came where they started calling different parties over the loud speaker to come down the stairs and into the studio. Unfortunetly, they didn't call our names. They also at this time told us once we entered the studio, to take a box of popcorn and a bag of candy, but not to open it. The blue sheets we were given to sign had numbers on them...we were 123-125. When they called 100-150, we went in. We were told we could sit anywhere there was not a blue reserved sign. We found two areas...one was the front row in the back section, the other was the last row of a back section. We opted with the latter, because our view would have been blocked by a cameramen. Although we were in the back row, we could see everything wonderfully. I just loved the fact that I was sitting in Oprah's studio....a dream of mine for many years! The audience person then told us that we needed to react when something happened during the show, either with an awww, or a laugh, or a nod of the head. We noticed people coming in with trays, and carrying cups with pop in them that said, "Oprah's Oscar Nominee's LIVE." We were given one and told at this time we could start eating. Oprah made her way out at about 8:50, and looked stunning. Her shoes were to die for!! I loved them! She talked to us for a minute, and then we waited as the show went live. Everything went so fast, but I took it all in. I'll never forget the experience. Because it was live, the actresses that were there stayed for the 3 minute segment, and then jetted off. Once the show ended, Oprah thanked all of us for coming, and then took audience questions for about 40 minutes. Most of the questions made us mad, as everyone wanted to be recognized, or figure out a way to become an employee of hers. My question was going to be about South Africa, but I wasn't chosen. Oh well. Oprah waved goodbye, and that was it. We were on our way.

I forgot to set the VCR to record, but it wasn't a big deal, because it re-airs here at 11 at night. I planned to go down to Steph's to watch and see if we would be on. Around 5, I got a call from my mom, and she was excited because she saw us. Apparently, she heard from a friend of ours in Tennessee who saw me, and then called her. I couldn't believe it! We anxiously waited for 11 to roll around, and then watched. It was so cool! They taped one section of people, and it happened to be ours. Although it was only a couple seconds, it was us and that was enough!

OPRAH!

The day has finally come.....I am going to Harpo Studios tomorrow. I received the call at 4 yesterday, and could not believe it! Although I have been there once, I didn't get into the studio because there wasn't enough room. (although I did get to hang out in the screening room and see Sophie and Soloman, her dogs) It is going to be a wonderful treat after the crazy day I had. I am super excited, and can't wait to see Oprah. (For those of you who know me, I LOVE her!) It will also be a great day, because my friend, who was my boss at the daycare I worked in Michigan at for 6 years, is staying with me tonight, and then we are going to a hotel Friday night. I can't wait to spend time with you Sue!!! (especially all the laughing!) I'll post later on the amazing day.....

The new family!

I visited my old roomie and her husband last night. They added to their family by two. Cat King Cole and Cat Benatar are cute kittens. I had fun playing and cuddling with them. Congrats Jess and RC....you have an adorable family!

Pickle

I was reminded today yet again of how much I love this little girl. She is such a sweetheart, and I miss her so much. I look forward to seeing her every time I am home, as she says my name, and comes running to my open arms. Pickle, I wish my arms could reach all the way to Michigan right now.

Monday, they will search plane tickets for me....I'll soon have the plans set and in stone! As sson as I know more, I'll post again.

It's all new to me!

This is a new concept, but I am going to try and give it a try as a means of updating everyone on my plans for Africa and any news that comes my way. As of right now, I am set to leave for Joberg around February 6th. Crazy....it is coming up so fast, but I am getting more and more excited as the day draws near. Thanks for all the support and encouragement!! I appreciate it!