Thoughts to share

Hi everyone, I'm Chris, and I've just got to share that I am so encouraged right now.

It is late, so sorry if anything's not quite completely coherent, but I just got back to Milwaukee after a little drive by myself with some time to think. I took a quick trip to Chicago to visit my Dad while he's there for Easter. I was sure Dad would have a bit of advice, and generally be supportive, but he was even more supportive of the trip than I expected. I also caught up with a couple good friends to share news of our adventure, and they were so excited for us! It was really encouraging to me.

My trip was by myself, because my wife, Lesley (who is slightly skeptical that I will help contribute to this blog, so how's this for a start? :-P), also took a trip this weekend - a bigger one, out to New York to surprise her best friend with a visit a little bit before her birthday, and I'm sure they are talking about this adventure as well. So, because she is gone right now, and, well, since nobody is reading this blog yet, this is also more for me to put down some thoughts to share with her before I forget them.

Aside from sharing with her that I feel so encouraged, my thoughts pretty much involve beginning to formulate a mission statement of sorts - inspired by friends who are going to India soon, as well as some of the extensive explanations of those sorts of things that the Peace Corps requires. At any rate, to begin this process, I was thinking on the drive of something along the lines of, "To experience a different culture, and respectfully share a little bit of our own, while enhancing knowledge in and out of classrooms of school subjects (such as English and math), the world, and Jesus Christ in order to bring and inspire hope and love." It is sure to evolve, but while we mull over it and refine it, I will let Lesley describe our plans for this adventure a little bit.

Thanks for your interest!
We love because He first loved us. ~1 John 4:19