In TWO MONTHS I will be in Mexico!

I was reminded by a fellow YAGMs blog (Thank you Jane!  Check out her blog about Madagascar here.) that in exactly two months our international adventures will begin!  Orientation begins in Chicago on August 15 and lasts for a week.  I'm really excited to see the rest of the 2012 YAGMs again after last seeing them in April in Wisconsin.  I don't mean to brag, but we are a really cool group of people.

On August 22 everyone will leave for their respective countries, which means I, and the rest of the Mexico YAGM team, will be leaving for Mexico City!  I am super excited, but it's also weird to think that Mexico City is only a 4 hour plane ride from Chicago (if you fly direct), which is about the same amount of time it takes to fly from Seattle to Chicago.  Only 4 hours, to be in a completely different climate and culture!  That's less time than it takes to fly to Hawaii, or Washington D.C. from Seattle.  Only 4 hours in the air to start the next phase of my journey.

2012 Mexico YAGM group

Preparations for my year in Mexico are starting to intensify.  I'm looking at backpacks for packing (I'm planning on bringing a large backpack and one rolling suitcase, along with a small carry on), reading about Mexican elections (July 1st), continuing my fundraising, and trying to wrap up all the loose ends here at home.  I'm speaking at my home congregation for the "Mission Moment" this Sunday, so I'm also preparing my talk and some materials to give to interested members.  At this point in time, I'm about halfway to my fundraising goal of $4000, so it's time for another push!  If you're interested in donating on my behalf, please contact me!