A Purposeful Peek

Before I share details from our latest adventure, I have to start at the beginning... As far back as I can remember, I have always, always had a desire in my heart to go to Africa. Not to go on a glamorous safari with the lions, tigers, and bears, (oh my!) - although that would be amazing - but because I've always been so fascinated by African culture and the passionate people and beautiful children who call it home.  Back in 2005, I was one of many, many college students at my church who wanted to go to Africa for the summer and so I applied and prayed like crazy that God would send me.  But, He sent me to Albania instead. Wait, Albania? Isn't that somewhere in Africa? Exactly. I had no earthly idea where that was until I was practically on an airplane flying to this 3rd world European country for the summer. A summer that turned out to shape my life more than I could have ever imagined. But that's another story for another day... Albania 2005 Suffice it to say that...

"Heads, Carolina. Tails, California  Oklahoma. Somewhere greener, somewhere warmer.
 Up in the mountains, down by the ocean.
 Where? It don't matter, as long as we're goin'
 Somewhere together. I've got a quarter.
 Heads, Carolina. Tails, California  Oklahoma" (Jo Dee Messina) The chorus to this 1996 hit country song has always resonated with me in regards to my desire to just pick up and go, hit the road, travel, see the world with my best friend and soulmate!  Born and raised in Oklahoma, JJ and I both have a special place in our hearts for the Sooner State...the big, open sky, breathtaking sunsets over golden wheat fields, hot summers at the lake, Sooner football, and the friendliest people on earth. However, when God opened the door for us to pack up and move east, we jumped at the chance to live in beautiful North Carolina...where the Carolina blue skies meet the ocean, the splendor of fall colors spill over the mountains, al f...