Sad Heart

My heart is sad today.  Some things are incomprehensible; I don't know why bad things happen; I don't know why suffering happens.  The world has been blessed to know Karina, her strength, and her courage.  Some events elicit self-questioning, universe-questioning, meaning of life-questioning.  A conversation with an old friend in an un-certain situation, cut short by circumstances, has changed my life and outlook today.  What are the important things in life?  I feel I've been asking myself this question repeatedly for way too long with no real desire to find the correct answer.   My answer today is PEOPLE.  This may appear to be the obvious answer, but why, then, do we fail to make contact when it is most imortant?  Why do we think we will write that card, call, or text "tomorrow."  In many cases this is one of my least favorite words.  Karina -  today my heart is sad.  The world is less without you.  I am also regretful that I have not made an effort to be a better person - a person who wrote that card or called more often. This is something I cannot do "tomorrow." Katie, I love you.

Beginner Blogger

So I like to journal; that should equate to an ability to blog, right?  I'm not so sure about that - but all the students I am accompanying to Cambodia and Nicaragua this summer are required to keep a blog of their travels and I am trying to keep up with them - if an 8th grader can do it.... wow I'm old.  Well with this first post, I'd like to start out with letting everyone know the purpose for the blog - A friend of mine started this organization, Children's Global Alliance, and last year was the first service trip to Cambodia.  The goal is to give youth in this valley an opportunity to experience another culture, language, etc... but above all, to help children elsewhere and gain an understanding of differing ways of life ... to understand how important it is to give back.  We will be working in an orphanage in Cambodia from June 29-July 16 and also with a school for children with special needs in Nicaragua July 28-August 7.  I am so excited to be a part of this experience - I know how much giving back has enriched my life and can't wait to see this transform my new friends lives at such a young age!

For now, my blogs will probably entail new developments -  fundraising news, current feelings, etc.  All of the students have to raise their own money, as do the adults.  We have a large event March 4th at Dish in Edwards, and I am currently brainstorming ways in which to funraise funds for myself -  if you have an amazing idea, let me know!

I am grateful to have the opportunity to to travel to far away places for such an amazing cause.  Here's the link:  http://www.childrensglobalalliance.com/