Double Love

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Baby elephants

I forgot where I found these (if you know e-mail so I can give credit) but aren't they adorable They would go perfectly with all the new stuff I got for my room! Is there such a thing as Africa/elephant overdose? Because if there was I'm pretty sure I fall into that category. Woops!

Love

Baby TOMS

HOW CUTE IS THIS?? Cash Warren takes his daughter out in NYC in her baby TOMS. :)

Cute Vintage Shoot

I saw this Photoshoot on Ruffled and thought it was so adorable! I love all the bright colors, vintage clothes, and I've realized I how much I love the all American thing.

Photo Friday

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Fall Jacket

I will be searching for these jackets. They're great! I have to wear a coat pretty much all the time when I'm at school. I get tired of black and tired of the same old stuff. These jackets would be a nice addition to my fall wardrobe ... hopefully I find them :)

When I get married...

I will most likely have these.

Another airplane

Bye Bye Portland, Hello New York!

One more airplane ride and one last adventure for the summer.

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Malibu Club

Flipping through facebook I found myself on the page of our Africa trip leader, Gary, and saw that he had been tagged in some old Young Life photos. Curious to see what Gary looked like as a young fellow I uncovered a gem! These amazing old picture of Malibu Club. It literally hasn't changed a bit. It looks like the same amazing place. After my trip to Africa I really was reminded how thankful I am for Young Life and how it is such a powerful ministry. I honestly can say that I don't know where I would be faith wise if it were for Young Life ministry at my high school as well as Young Life camps and properties such as Malibu and Wildhorse Canyon. They have such a special place in my heart and I will always remember and live out the memories and lessons I learned while being there. Hopefully when my kids go to Malibu in 20 years it'll look just the same as when I was there and even as far back as Gary, and they will have the same incredible experience as I did.

I need

This ring. It reminds me of Africa and our incredible Safari and I must have it. I miss it. And just reminding everyone my birthday IS coming up ...

See you soon !

I cannot wait to see MAGGIE MCGOWAN. Maggie has been like an older sister to me since I was in elementary school. Her and my sissy pants are best friends and I have had the pleasure of calling her mine as well. Maggie has been by our side through lots of ups and down and weddings and school dances and and and basically everything I have ever done. Maggie is such an inspiration to me and I love watching her follow her dreams and passions and feel so thankful that she includes me in it all. As I was cleaning my room the other day I came across a vintage postcard that Maggie had sent me during her freshman year at Fordhman (which was 6 years ago) saying how she couldn't wait for me to visit so we can paint the town red. Such fate that I found it and just made me that much more excited to play in the city with her!

New York

Hi Friends! I'm off to New York in TWO DAYS! I can't believe how fast time has gone by this summer with my Africa adventure already over (sad sad day) and my New York trip right around the corner! New York is one of my most favorite places to visit and I am super excited about going by myself this time. I am visiting my sisters best friend, Maggie and my Aunt,Uncle and my two baby cousins. New York is such a big city and there are so many things to do there. I've done all the tourist things so this time I wanna see New York the way a New Yorker does. Are there are any shops, restaurants, cool places in New York that you've been to? Anything I need to check out ?

Photo Friday

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African Aftermath

Somethings I learned, discovered, stumbled up, and prayed about during my time in Africa.

Beauty can be found anywhere

The lion king does exist. Our dog at morning star was named Pumba, the generic chip of South Africa is Simba, I have climbed pride rock, I've walked with Simba and Nala, and I've seen a million little Zazu's flying around. All true stories.

We all sleep under the same sky

There's nothing more incredible then watching animals in their natural habitat. Honestly, these Hippos were just having a family meeting and our little boat just happened to join in. Even though I love going to the zoo, God didn't intend for his animals to be caged. This is how God intended it.

Home is where your heart is. I was told many times by my home stay families "Don't feel at home, be at home." And I was.

I have never been more aware of my race. I have never been stared at more in my life. I have never felt more in the right place.

We all have a little African in us, we just gotta let it come out.

To date: Warthog is the BEST meat I have ever eaten in my life. To date: Ostrich is the worst.

You never know where you'll make a new friend, and It's always ok to ruin a kodak moment.

Family can be created and must be celebrated.

America is too clean. We over sanitize everything. Although I appreciate it, I learned what it meant to be dirty. I learned that showers aren't accessible to everyone. Not everyone in the world can take a long hot shower everyday. I was so appreciative of that.

"Biological family is too small of a vision. Patriotism is far too myopic. A love for our own relatives and a love for the people of our own country are not bad things, but our love does not stop at the border." - Shane Claiborne

Sometimes your group of friends look a little differently than you expected. Sometimes your new gang of friends don't look like you, talk like you, dance like you do... but they all love the same.

Sometimes kids just need a lap to sit on

I could sit and look at elephants for hours. This herd was the closest ones I ever got to see. They were huddled in an opening right in front of our safari lodge. They put blocks of salt out there so Elephants (who need salt to survive) come out for us to see them. I love how elephants stay in their little elephant packs for life. They stick with their family until they die (which usually is over a hundred years of age, crazy I know). This must have been at 10 o'clock at night and I must have stayed out there for two hours, but it was two hours to short for me.

You can fall in love in one second, have a bestfriend in two, and by the end have a kid who wont let go of your hand, ever. This is Tande.

Salibonani

SALIBONANI friends! It's great to be back in America and back home with my friends and family and back to you all! Thank you so much for being patient with my blog while I was gone and a special thanks to my friends who did guests posts ! (For Me, Mollie in Seattle, Passion Bird, Ashley) I am still adjusting to life back home and still processing all the was Africa. But for now I will give you all a sneak peak into my trip. Keep checking back for updates!