The Journey Begins.

(names have been changed to protect.. oh who am I kidding! LOL!!)

 

 

Here we are. 

Twelve people traveling together.

To experience another country.

another culture.

another life.

 The first flight was smaller, the next flight (as shown above) was larger. 

And longer (13 hours). 

Since there was 12 of us, the chances of having more of us together on a flight was great. 

I am on the window, and then we are 4 more deep. 

We had a lot of laughs on this trip.... and many started on this flight.

 The three gals smiling in this picture and the one in pink is just 4 rows back. 

These gals were the majority of the giggling all the way to Tokyo (where we awaited our last flight).

 These three gals spent the majority of the long flight SLEEPING! 

I do not know how they did this. I slept all of 15 minutes!!

 At different points, I would open the window and take a gander... 

this is somewhere in British Columbia. 

(I only know this because they have GPS on the TV screens during the flights, telling you where you are.)

TOO COOL

 COASTLINE! 

Welcome to the open waters.

 After 3 flights and 22 hours of travel time, we made it to Beijing, China. 

It was 11:30pm local time (10:30am back home)

When we arrived, our ride was not there to pick us up yet. 

We were fine, just hung out, and tried to make sure our buddy, Bert, was on his way.

At 12:30am, we found Bert and his friend Mark. They loaded up 12 people, 24+ bags, and few pillows and 1 Guitar into one 11 person van and 7 person wagon. It was also RAINING! And since we hadn't seen or felt Rain in weeks, it devoured it! 

Keep in mind, if you ever travel to China, that you need to arrive in the regular working hours. 

Otherwise, you will spend 2 hours looking for a hotel.

Wthe one you had reservations at decides to not take you 

and 5 other hotels say they are full, 

or turn off the lights, 

or lock the doors.

So at 2am,

we all were welcomed into Bert's house 

to sleep on the floor, 

in bunk beds, 

and on couch cushions. 

And it was the best sleep, 

SERIOUSLY. 

And bless his wife for rising in the morning and making a yummy breakfast for 12 American strangers.

We did get into a better hotel that next morning and we started 

Day One of our 48 hours Marathon Sight-Seeing in Beijing.

Stay Tuned.....

And my new address is....

... haha, gotcha?!
No~ I did not move to China.
No~ I did not get lost in China.
No~ I did not lose my passport and have to stay longer. (however this did happen to a teammate-more later)
No~ I did not bring home a Chinese Baby (yet, more on that later too)

Yes~ I am home. And have been for 3 weeks?
Yes~ I had an AMAZING adventure.
Yes~ I will tell you ALL ABOUT IT.

However.....

I am overwhelmed with the
emotional,
spiritual
and physical
experience of it all.

I am still processing,
still understanding,
still finding the....
words
to tell the stories.

There is so much to say.
There is so much to share.
There is so much to show.

Just be patient, and it will all come out.
And more than likely, in bites and pieces.
In chapters, and not the entire Novel.
And to be honest, it may come over time.
There may be blogs in between about anything else, running, BigGirl's year of 1st Grade, LittleMans Adventure of still potty training, The Hubbys new job (YES THAT DID HAPPEN TOO!).. well you get the drift.

Thanks for understanding, and STAY TUNED....

146....

........the hours until my flight takes off from ICT to start it's multi-stop path to Beijing, China.

481......

........the dollars I still need to collect by said hours.

1...........

........the times last night at I had an anxiety dream about missing luggage, wrong flight, late, etc.

4.........

.........number of times since this morning that I have started to freak out about leaving my family for 11 days.

11.......

..........the number of other people in my group going together

22.......

.........the number of hours (predicted by flight plan) that I will be travelling (in flight or awaiting flight)

9.........

...........the number of days that HE will teach me and lead me down HIS path.

What is in your plan the next 6 days???

WOW!

This past couple weeks as been CRAZY!

I have made 270 burritos to that I sold for China Trip Donations.

I have attending many T-ball games of BigGirls and watched LittleMan climb the chain fencing in flipflops during them.

I have gone to the drive in movies for the first time with ALL 4 of us-- twice. First time was 3 weeks ago and it was FREEZING that night. Second time was Friday night and LittleMan ended up shirtless for the evening it was so hot and sticky. FYI---
Kung Fu Panda 2-- good
Rio-- LittleMan and I slept. The hubby and BigGirl enjoyed.
Cars 2-- We all enjoyed
Green Lantern-- I loved, Hubby enjoyed, BigGirl watched half (and she REALLY WANTED TO SEE IT) and LittleMan slept.

I celebrated my last year of my twenties with my little family on Friday (recall the movies). We went to the Twisted Cow (yummy serve yourself yougart joint) for Dinner, and had McAlisters Deli (yummy speciality deli food) for dessert. - it was my birthday and I wanted a backwards dinner. I also enjoyed getting 2 new ULTRA CLEARANCE wicking tanktops (good for humid china) and 1 Pink Breast Cancer Fishing pole from the Hubby and kids.

I also celebrated LittleMans 3 year birthday. (again the movies), and a party yesterday with grandparents. Complete with a 3D Thomas the Tank Engine Cake. YUMMY!!!

My folks also decided to put their large above ground pool up.... in our backyard this year.  I am telling you, if I didn't work a full time job outside my home right now... I would TOTALLY be one of those moms that floats her afternoons away. Ahhh, such a nice dream.

Also, last week I accepted a new coaching job! I am no longer a High School Assistant Softball Coach. But now a 4 yr College Assistant Softball Coach at Bethel College. Plus here, besides the HS to College upgrade. It is a few more months a year (fall and spring) that I can enjoy my passion. It is a little more pay, so that will allow me to make a change from my full time job in the near future. Which in turn- gives me more time at home with my kids (and time to RUN) in the off season!! Off season is mid october-end of january, and mid may thru end of August. Holiday season and summers.... ahhhhh how nice that will be. :-)

The Hubby is still job hunting with his new degree.... pray for him to get an offer SOON.

And last but not least, CHINA IS 16 DAYS AWAY!!!!! I am only $836 short of my goal funding. I am telling you those family recipe burritos WERE A HIT! Such a hit, that my mother has confidence me to do another batch this week for next week delivery. Meaning that with 10 days until my flight takes off, I will be wrapping and selling for burritos!! OMG! But that father of ours has been amazing. Without him, I don't know where I would be in this path today.

So- $836 dollars in 16 days. I have trust.... do you?

ps-- someone close to my heart is awaiting an answer for a new path for her. please pray for her to have an answer soon.

47

Yep!
47 days!
China is right around the corner and I am only sitting at 24% goal met to go. I have great faith that he will provide.

So... BigGirl spent her first day of summer sick. Yep... puking up a storm.

Why? Do you ask? -- Well NO IDEA. She is still sick today, day 2 of summer break.

The Hubby is still J.O.B. searching, and while he has been wasting time waiting... he finally put in my livingroom ceiling fan/light and the wall switches for it too. :-) I am SOOOOOOOOO happy now! Awh- a cool breeze in my livingroom means less A/C time needed so far. And I can see better too. Stupid 1970s houses that didnt put in ceiling lights. Ugh.

Hubby has also been spending time helping his mom at the farm, making dinner, doing laundry, etc etc etc. h, don't worry though, I have a list of things to keep him from boredom. LOL!!

I have been working on something new.... more on that later once I know it is solid. But... FUN FUN FUN!!

What does your holiday weekend look like??

51 DAYS.... and PANICING!!!!!!!!

My Volunteer team leaves for ZhengZhou China to work at an Orphans summer camp, and as I am SO VERY EXCITED, I am also PANICING.
AWHHHHHHHHHH!

I am sitting at only 18% of my fundraising goal to be able to go on this trip!!

WHAT?!

We completed our first group fundraiser dinner this past sunday. And as it was a success, earning each member of the group $150, it still leaves me in a big whole. I know God will prove for me. But I am a "planner" and having the faith to wait this timing is AWFUL for me. I guess this is his way of teaching me patience. (I understand, but it is still hard!)

So, here is me again putting this out there.....

If you feel the pull to help me show children without families love, compassion and support.
Please write checks to "Bring Me Hope" ****This is a TAX WRITE OFF, BTW****
and mail them to:
Kirsten Horton
**Click here for information**


Thank you for anything you can do, even if it is just commenting that you are adding me to your prayers.

And the winner is........

...... #19 Kristen at runningwhat? CONGRATS KRISTEN!! Email me your info and I will get this in the mail asap!!!! (kirstendyan@yahoo.com)

Thank you to all that entered!! I have another great giveaway coming very soon!!!

Right after I get The Hubby through his College Graduation next week, and BigGirl through the end of Kindergarten, and myself through the end of Softball season!!! Much more "fun" me coming, and less "stressed" me around the corner!!! And many new races, faces, and news this season!!!

Also, I will be taking any donations you feel like sending to me for the China Volunteer Trip I am taking this summer to show love to orphaned children. Just email me for my address. All donations are TAX DEDUCTABLE when checks are written to "Bring Me Hope". I will collect them and get them off in lue of my travel expenses. A giveaway will be given to a random donating submission on July 1st.
 Learn more about that HERE. 
I have $3250 to raise by July 1st!!! Please, Help me help the lives of others.

I need you!

Bring Them…

Love. Compassion. Friendship. Understanding. Companionship.

Bring Me Hope.

Hello, my name is Kirsten. I am a wife of one, a mother of two, a sister of a few, a friend to many, a daughter, an aunt, and a follower. Being all these people to so many has prepared me for a bigger task at hand. I have much love, wisdom and support to share with others. This year, after having a “Bring Me Hope” speaker come to my church, I made the decision to share myself with others in dire need. I will be traveling with a group of 12 amazing people this July 13-23 to Zhengzhou, China. We will be volunteering our love, support, listening, and knowledge at a Summer Camp for Chinese Orphans. Many of these children have never known a parent, a sibling or even a friend. There are many stories of children being found as infants left to die. There is a lot of hate in their young lives.

What I am asking is for you to help me get to them, to show them love and compassion; and to show them a path to start healing their hearts and souls. I am need both financial and prayer support.

My costs are:

Camp fee (lodging/food): $750

Airfare: $2,000

Train/Travel/Incidentals: $500

Grand Total: $3,250

**All donations are tax deductible through the “Bring me Hope” organization.**

Any help I can get is great appreciated. I believe that another force is pushing me to teach, love and show support for these young children and the translators. I hope that you can help me get there.

*Please write all checks to “Bring me Hope” and then mail them to me at:

Kirsten Horton

1200 Columbus Circle

Newton, KS 67114

Thank you from the depths of my heart and soul.

**My giveaway is just around the corner**

His Hands of Hope

Well- that big decision that was being discussed at our house. A couple weeks ago, the choice was made. I will be going to China with a group to volunteer at a Children's Orphange Camp.

It is a wonderful opportunity and one that I feel drawn to being a part of. I have never traveled outside the USA, well if you don't count a Canada day trip in my middle school years. (Which, really you shouldn't, you didnt even need a passport to cross the border for a day back then.)

So, here I am, starting a new chapter in my life, and this year, I will be traveling without the hubby. If you recall, he is graduating College in 51 days. (but who's counting?) Therefore, he will be back to the workforce thereafter. (three cheers for the Hubby!! and a large margarita for me.) So, as much as he wants to join me on this new experience, alas he must wait until another time.

Here are some wonderful details.... (but keep in mind that things are still being decided)

1. The group is looking at 3 locations to volunteer at.... but we are aiming for Xi'an.

(please don't ask me to say this word outloud)

2. We will be volunteering the week of July 18th-22nd. However, I don't know when we will actually fly out or home. The flight time is 24 hours total. With a flight change or two along the way.

(Do you think they allow running laps in the aisles on the planes??)

3. I have recruited a good friend on mine to take the Hubby out for "our" anniversary. Since I will be halfway around the world on July 19th. *Sorry babe :-(

4. I can't afford this "trip" on my own dime. I am going to be looking for any donation to aide me on this journey. The stay at the camp is $750 for the week. And the flight is looking to be around $2000-$2500 round trip. Any assistance I can gain is a blessing.

If you would like to help me get to the camp, and pass on love to the Orphans there, Please email me at kirstendyan@yahoo.com I would be happy to answer any questions further and to the best of my ability.

I am only "running" the path at was laid out for me to follow.

***Learn more about the cause here***

Keep Running.