I am here, I am safe, I have no internet at my hotel, so once I get hooked up and in my apartment I'll update on my trip here, have some pictures, and let you all know how lovely New Mexico is!

So today is the last day for me at home in Illinois. Tomorrow begins the great US-2 adventure. My dad and I are leaving and driving to Oklahoma City tomorrow, then on to Albuquerque on Thursday.

This blog is going to be used to update people on my life, especially in regards to being a US-2 missionary for the General Board of Global Ministries of the United Methodist Church. I'll change names of people that I'm working with to protect identities, but I'll try to update daily on the happenings of my life.

At this point, all I have left to do is pack the car, which should be quite the task. Packing itself was not fun, but I did manage to throw away and give away a bunch of things. I still have plenty to get done.

Tonight I'm going out with my friends from home, Rebecca, Nick and Todd. Who knows what we'll do, but its my final night here and since packing is mostly done, I need to spend some time with my friends. I'm excited to leave and start this new chapter of my life, but leaving people that I care about is tough. I've done it before and have had mixed results in keeping up with people, but most of my close friends I expect I'll keep in touch with.

I'll post tomorrow from Oklahoma City, and will post some pictures once I have my desktop set up in Albuquerque. Probably Monday night or Tuesday. I'll arrive on Thursday night, but don't have possession of my apartment until Monday, so it is hotel life for me for a bit. I'll be sure to keep up as this whirlwind of changes hits my life, so look forward to some interesting thoughts and ideas from me about being a US-2, emergent church, and life in the Southwest. Please feel free to ask me questions or contact me!