you can find mehhh in st. lou-ehhhh.

and so the traveling has begun. so far, i'm still sane. i have justin's gracious gift of noise-reducing headphones to thank for that. also, watching my parents struggle through the world of the iPod in the front seat has provided priceless entertainment.

my weekend has been incredibly humbling. friday night's party at the stumm's was genuinely one of the best nights of my life. everyone who showed up was special to me, and it was a beautiful feeling to rest in those friendships for a night... and embarrass myself playing just dance. this morning, i was commissioned at the church i grew up in. my friend ("youth minister" just doesn't cut it), chad, led family and friends in prayer over me, and this evening aarron did the same at restoration... talk about humbling! i can't even begin to express how much both faith families mean to me and the power that i felt in their words and intentional encouragement to me. my last moments at home were spent worshipping with the most important people in my life and proclaiming how beautiful our God is. i'm so excited to be exiting on that note!

so to all of you, thanks. i hope i let everyone i hugged this weekend know the ways you have affected me. if i did not, i sincerely apologize. why can't i just take everyone with me?!

as for holiday inn express in shiloh, illinois: the shampoo/conditioner smells like cinnamon apples and the bath water like cake batter. i am completely serious. i don't know what their getting at, but i like it. here's to a complimentary hot breakfast! tomorrow--> destination: denver.

peace and love