Tuesday, August 14, 2012

racing away. (in more ways than one).

We had to wake up early sunday morning, but we got to run at a beautiful park, with great friends, and raise money for a great cause! 
A few years ago some friends of ours lost a their little baby to the disease CDH. We all decided to support them and run this race in memory of little, baby Grace. :) 
CDH occurs in 1 of every 2500 births. 50% of the babies diagnosed with CDH do not survive. The cause is not yet known, but we want to change that! There was a great turn out for this fundraiser so we are praying that the money will help with research and hopefully a cure will be found soon!



This was right after we got our bib numbers.....can you tell I was still a still a little tired??


 There were a bunch of photographers there, and I got these pictures off the website. 
One lady told us, "you guys are my most excited group so I need a picture". 



Bethany and Luke showing off her new engagment ring!!!! Haha, they were goofs..... "look a camera what should we do..... oh ya LOOK AT THE RING!!!!" ;)




Our pose was a little less dramatic..... hang loose, a wave, and ....nano-nano. :)

It's only been a few days since the race, but now a whole to exciting day is upon us....... tomorrow.....(drumroll please.......)..... WE LEAVE FOR ZAMBIA!!!!!!!!

It will be my 

-too-many-times-to-count, time flying.....

-my 2nd time leaving the country.....

-my 2nd mission trip and my 2nd time flying over the ocean....

BUT.

It will be my

-1ST TIME IN AFRICA!!!!!

I recently saw a sign that said, "It's a disaster when your country has an obesity epidemic and a skinny jeans fad". It's scary how little most of us actually know (and care) about the cultures and people in 3rd world countries. We're so obsessed with too many relatively unimportant things. On this trip I'm hoping to gain a new perspective on life, and learn all I can from the village people. I've been praying about being open and hearing God lead, and so far I've felt him pushing me towards Africa, and towards this trip.  I'm so excited to see what He's got in store for me there!!! 

I'm way to excited to say anymore, except that.... you will be swamped with a bazillion photos when I get home. :)

So, this is me, the person who is to excited to sleep and to nervous to eat (and just plain giddy), signing off. 

See you on September 2nd. 

~Makenna :)

Friday, August 10, 2012

soul songs.

Have you ever listened to a song that you feel could lift you off your feet?? One that makes you want to grab your sword and fight for that good and just cause? 


Have you ever listened to a song that makes you want to climb a high mountain and watch the birds soar? Or run with your hair flowing in the breeze?


Have you ever listened to a song that makes you want to dance in the rain, and thank God for coffee and warm fires? Or take a road trip with lots of unexpected adventures? 


If you haven't....listen to these so you can get a taste of what I mean. 

:)

Oh, and watch this video of the American women's gymnastics team. 
This just about sums up how I've been feeling for the past to weeks. 


Go team USA!!!! 

:)

Thursday, August 9, 2012

surfing. part two of three.



I was a little scared to get going. As I mentioned before I have never really spent much time in the ocean...and I know the waves can be very unpredictable. My main worry was that if and when I fell off the board, it would come up and hit me in the head! 


Come to find out, my main problem during the whole time we were out there, was just getting the stupid board far enough out into the water! It's was so stinkin' heavy! 

Once was finally able to drag the board out far enough so I could have a decent ride....I had to jump on and lay on my stomach. Then paddle, paddle, paddle, watch the waves, get up to my knees and then once (yes just ONCE), I was able to get all the way to my feet before crashing into onto the beach. 




Talia was so funny to watch....she was having a blast! :)




Joshua was rocking it out there! He and Eli were both naturals! :)


Here Ash and I are trying our best to tug that stupid board out into the ocean. 


Here I am... on my knees.....this is how I was most of the time...haha. :)


We had such a fun time!!

Stay tuned in for, the last of this three part series, to see some pictures of our "land adventures". 

:)

Wednesday, August 8, 2012

one week.



We had our last Zambia meeting last night.
We planned out all the last minute details.
We had a great time of prayer.
We are just a little excited.

Ok REALLY EXCITED!! 

:)

Monday, August 6, 2012

surfing. the first of three parts.




We left for the beach right after church. Lot's of friends, lots of wet-suits, and LOTS of excitement. 



Most of us had never surfed before, but we were really excited to give it a try! 


Once we had our wet-suits on, and our hair pulled back we were ready.


I thought we looked like an Olympic surfing team.... but then we had to be taught how to get on the board....ok forget the "Olympic" part. ;)




Did I mention we were a wee bit excited?!


Mr. Phillips gave us a quick surfing lesson on foot placement, balance, back arching....
I was so excited to get in the water! I had never played in the ocean waves before......much less been in a wet-suit or surfed! 


Stay tuned for part two.....:)

Wednesday, August 1, 2012

sometimes.


Sometimes its the little things that make the big things so special, and memorable. 






Sometimes its the handwritten vows, the live, cousin-performed music, and the uncle officiating, that makes it special. 






Sometimes when there's yummy food, new babies and little friends, it makes everything just a bit more fun.








Sometimes when the wedding party, and guest list is made up of some of your bestest friends... .you have way to much fun. Plus when your mom gets on the dance floor and shakes a leg... you know it's been a fun night. :)




Sometimes, drawing hearts and writing notes on car windows...is just plain awesome. :)



Sometimes its the little things that make the big things so special and memorable. 

:)