As much as I have been excited and waiting for this upcoming adventure, it has hit me with full force how hard it’s going to be without the immediate comfort of my family and friends that I take for granted all too often. I have two weeks left until my departure, so I’m trying to soak in everything I can before I am without it for nine months. It’s pretty crazy how much I take things for granted on a daily basis, so I came up with a “miss-list” of things I don’t often acknowledge as luxuries until they are gone.

Miss-List:
Brett Favre. Okay, those of you who know me well know how obsessed with football I can be, and yes I still LOVE Brett Favre, no matter what anyone says. This will be my first season without NFL football in 19 years! Yes, football is luxury. 🙂

Deer on the Wall. Yep, my dad’s buck is proudly displayed in our family room, and though I hardly ever take notice of it anymore, it struck me that I just may miss seeing those creepy eyes looking at me, since there is nothing of the sort in Swazi. (I would be a little creeped out if they started putting goat heads on their walls.)

The winter. Oh my gosh, am I going to miss SNOW when it’s 100 and something degrees in Decemeber!

The comfort of my own bathroom. Enough said.

A wash-machine and dryer.

Drinking water from the faucet.

My brothers to kill icky bugs for me. I know what you’re thinking… “Good luck with the over-sized, extremely nasty roaches in Africa!” (At least that’s what I’m thinking about…)

The constant source of music in the house. Whether it’s my brothers playing piano and singing, my sister on guitar, or my little nephew playing his own beats on my drum-set, I will miss our home-made music.

Family dinner, family prayer, family games (settlers!), family vacations, and family celebrations. If you know the Martins, you know we are all about family. I have never missed a holiday with my family (including extended family), so this one will be a little rough for me.

Texting/phone calls. I never realized how much I rely on my cell phone all day long. If I forget it somewhere, I freak out. I depend on it for communication, whether it’s just a simple text or an extended phone call. I will miss being able to pick up the phone and have someone at my immediate contact.

Of course I will miss so much more…and many involve material things, which really don’t matter at all. What I will miss the most is you. Because if you’re reading this, that means you’re interested in my life, probably invested into it in someway, and following me on my journey. I will miss the little things. I will miss my family and friends and all of you who have supported me. Know that I carry you with me… every one of you.

As I prepare to leave, I want to leave you with this:

My vision…

Leave fingerprints on a child’s heart, so she can leave fingerprints on the world.