My week of lasts...

This is the week where everything really starts to sink in. The week where I have my last time of everything. While I am sad, I know that it is all getting me ready for what is about to come. Here are a few of the lasts that I am talking about:

1) Today, I had my last dentist appointment for who knows how long. Got a clean check-up though which is good! Let's just hope my Sonicare toothbrush continues to work well in Ukraine and I think I should be in good shape! And PS, if you've thought about getting a Sonicare and haven't for one reason or another...I HIGHLY recommend it. They're amazing.

2) Last night was my last time at youth group. This has been a regular activity of mine for the past 9.5 years...both when I was in high school as an actual youth, and then for the past 6 years as one of the volunteers who helps out on Sunday night activities.

3) Tonight will be the last night at a women's Bible study I have been a part of. While I was gone for many of the meetings (I like to get out of town...what can I say!), I have also learned a heck of a lot from the books we've gone over.

4) Wednesday night will be my last night at FISH (Followers In Service to Him)--the high school leadership team at church. Just like Sunday night youth group, this has been a vital part of my life in Oklahoma.

5) For the past few years, we have had Friday pizza lunch at McFarlin for the high schoolers to come relax and see their friends. Occasionally, we even got up the nerve to cook! That was a rarity though.

So there are a few of the things going through my head this week as everything comes to a head. My to do list seems to be growing every day as I remember one thing or another that needs to be done. And I'm slowly packing up all of my stuff! I think have almost 10 boxes done!

For all of my friends out there who wonder how in the world I'm going to pack all of my stuff on my packing list (keep in mind not EVERYTHING on the packing list will end up going with me...that was simply things I'd like to take)...take a look at Kimberley's blog. She is a fellow Ukraine group 41-er, who posted a blog about the same time as me last night (around 1 am). I died laughing upon watching the video...so go watch it. It's called "Packing like a pro," and I promise it will leave you astonished.

For other group 41-ers (the group of us whose departure day for Ukraine is March 21) who are reading my blog today, my mom and I went to Target last night for nearly 2 hours. I remembered reading in someone's blog (who is already in Ukraine) to hit up the Target One section before I leave. Holy cow am I glad I did. I got ALL SORTS OF FUN STUFF for the kids in Ukraine. They have silly bands...in every shape imaginable. Silly putty. Slinky's (real, metal ones!). And those cool things that every kid loves: a capsule that has a compacted sponge in it that when you place it in water it expands into an object of some kind. All for really cheap obviously, because they're in the One section!

I have had a few people ask me about my wish list today. Since it is almost time for me to leave, I needed to go ahead and order the remaining things on my wish list so that I would receive them in time. If you would still like to help me out with these purchases, a check or cash is probably going to be the easiest thing right now. There are also items that I am waiting to purchase until I get to Ukraine that I could put this money towards. Things like a surge protector, hair-dryer, a fan for the summer, etc.

Over the past few weeks, I have felt incredibly blessed by the sweet gifts that I have received. My Aunt Linda, who not only came and helped out at the garage sale, gave me money for GOOD socks! I know, who gets excited about socks, right? But Smartwool socks might be the best invention ever. Try some if you don't believe me. Thanks, Aunt Linda :)

Two sweet friends from church (who also happen to be dating :) ) surprised me with my United States map, Russian phrasebook...and UNO! Thank you Schlegel and Lyndsay :) They also introduced me to Il Dolce, Norman's only gelato shop. SO. DELICIOUS.

I can't say thank you enough for the kind words that I have received from everyone lately. It would take forever to list everyone...so please know that I am thinking about each one of you!