Today is the day

My two friends and I are officially packed and ready for Ethiopia! 

We leave tonight and are gone for two weeks

My emotions have been all over the place 

Getting sick and being on so many meds the last few days haven't helped but I am so excited to go!!

I will not be blogging on this trip but no worries I will blog after I arrive home in two weeks....

You can keep up with all the girls and I am doing while we are in Africa on my Instagram (briannazoldan) and/or the hashtag #chicksinethiopia

I am overwhelmed by the amount of support we have received & thank you to everyone who has encouraged and supported the three of us as we make this journey! 

Goodbye for now=]

2nd Corinthians 5:17

AFRICA

Image via Google

It has been way too long since I have posted...I have had several people asking me to update this over the past few weeks and since I am on Christmas break I actually have the time and motivation to update=] 

Bare with me. 

I forget how to navigate this blog and I pray that it is not difficult for you navigate my page!

Phew...there is so much to catch up on...but I want to start with explaining the map I posted above. 

In less than two weeks I am traveling to Ethiopia, Africa with two of my best friends...

We are staying with the Benkert family who founded the organization Bring Love In (http://bringlove.in/)...

I have cabin fever big time and I can't tell you how excited I am to explore this part of the world..

I love learning about different cultures and loving on people from all over the world...it is a passion of mine. 

This inspires me daily.

With all of the excitement of my Africa trip on my mind, I keep forgetting that Christmas is right around the corner. 

I struggle with this time of the year a lot...

Let me vent for a minute...

I HATE how society has skewed our view of this holiday. 

Now, I absolutely LOVE giving gifts, in fact it is something I do all year round because there are so many things that remind me of people in my life then I can't resist getting them those gifts but I hate that this time of the year brings a whole different pressure of gift giving.

I challenge you to think about what your motives are behind your gift giving this season and really think about what the meaning of Christmas is and what it means to you.

 End of vent session =]

I want to thank everyone who has supported me thus far in regards to my Africa trip...I have been so blessed with support and prayers...it is amazing...

I am not sure if I will be able to post while I am on my trip but I will figure that out later...

Now time to get back to planning my trip. I will update more later

xo

Life in phone pics..

It is Summertime!!! 

The last few weeks filled with finals, graduations, etc.. are now over & it feels good to be on break =]

I'm excited for the opportunity to post more frequently...I am so inconsistent with this blog but I love it when I am able to post often so that is my goal. 

Hope you all are good...

My Aunt Vanessa is engaged!!!!!!! (Top right pic from L to R...My Aunt Vanessa, Me, My momma!)

Enjoyed the first day of summer with some of my fave girls! 

I modeled this look for my roomy Missy (on the right) for the Goodwill Fashion Show in Cleveland, OH...she did an amazing job! You can see more pics from the show on her blog http://www.myconcretecatwalk.com/

My boyfriend John & I at the show!

Snuggling with baby Grant who fell asleep in my arms! I got to celebrate my boyfriend John's Graduation as well as my Aunt Vanessa's in a matter of 2 days! Congrats to both of you!

Matthew 6:33

Life Lately...

3 weeks. Just 3 weeks until the end of Spring 2012 semester..phew!

So much has been going on lately, I am really behind on posts like usual

3 weeks. Just 3 weeks until I can hopefully become more consistent with this... 

Above is a little snapshot of life lately...

lots of homework

beautiful sunny days (except for today)

lots of goofy faces shared between my man & I

{this pic was taken at an Ethiopian restaurant we went to with friends to celebrate the adoption of their 2 Ethiopian boys into their family over the past few years...I love the boys so much & was honored to celebrate with them.

 It was a fun experience & surprisingly I enjoyed the food despite how picky I tend to be.

John had a little harder time accepting the idea of using our hands as our only utensils to eat the food...fun memories forsure!}

Lastly, a picture of my endless piles that are accumulating everywhere in my room...

 I've been re evaluating some things in my life over the past few weeks and realize how many items I purchased over the last few years that where so unnecessary and unfortunately for the most part expensive. 

I've overhauled my closet and am on a selling spree...

It has been a learning experience & at times not an easy one.

 Isn't it crazy how much stuff we accumulate!?!

It's a huge reality check & I am excited to simplify my life & to be smarter with my money.

On another note...my Great Grandad passed away last weekend on good Friday...his funeral was today & unfortunately I was not able to attend. 

I wasn't super close with him mainly due to how far away he lived but I always admired a lot about him. 

Grandad had an inspiring work ethic, so much love for his wife (Gram, who passed away a few years ago), love for his family, he was very smart & a very classy man of God. 

It is sad that he has passed but I am happy he is in a much better place now. 

I recieved the text from my Marmee stating that Grandad passed away at 7:36pm...

exactly 2 hours later at 9:36pm I received another forwarded text that my Uncle Seth sent...

Him & his pregnant wife Nikki where in a good Friday church service when they heard the news of Grandad...30 minutes later, Nikki's (who was due in about a week) water broke & they began to prep to bring a baby boy into the world!!

 Meet Gavin Henry!

What a beautiful baby boy!! 

I have heard stories like this before but it was so crazy to have so many different emotions in one day.

There was death...then there was life.

I can't wait to meet this sweet boy & love on him!

I hope you all had an awesome Easter celebrating Christ's resurrection! 

More updates hopefully soon...here's to busting out these last 3 weeks!

1st Corinthians 15

Ephesians 5:1-2