I’ve had such an incredible year looking back.  I would have never thought in January 2011 that I’d be where I am today.  I’ve traveled internationally twice this year, ran a half marathon and ran it well, had some of my favorite clients yet this year, I’ve challenged myself beyond what I thought was possible, and went on a trip that only God could have predicted would happen.  I have so many things to be thankful for this year.  Don’t get me wrong I’m still learning the fine art of contentment, but I feel like this year was a bit of a break through so to speak.  I’m so excited for what 2012 might hold!  But I know that tomorrow is a gift and I will live right here and now.  Loving every moment I have to spend with my family and friends and not worrying about what tomorrow holds.  Tomorrow will come soon enough, and there’s no use in worrying about it today.

My challenge to you is enjoy the new year with childhood wonderment.  Don’t stress about about the little things.  Be content with where you are and know that God takes care of the rest.  Soak up all the love you can and share it a thousand times back.

I’m so grateful and my cup is over flowing.  I hope yours is too.  Happy New Year!

Thank you to my AMAZINGLY AWESOME clients this past year.  You make me love what I do every second I spend with you.  The best Husband a girl could ask for.  I’m so glad we ran away for some much needed together time.  I’ll never look at the sunset the same way again.I’m thankful for taking the courage to challenge myself in so many ways.

So thankful for my family and friends that have cheered me on and been there when I needed someone to life my spirits. And I’m most thankful for all those that believed in me and helped support my trip to Nepal.  I wish everyone could experience all the things I saw and felt in Nepal.  I’m not sure why I was meant to be there, but I’m so glad I was.  My cup is filled with some pretty amazing things and I can’t wait to share them!

May you have peace, love and joy this Christmas and may 2012 bring laughter and bliss.  You have so much to give, give until it hurts then give more.

xoxo lovelies.

Rachael

I’m not even done yet and I’m telling you READ this book.  It should be on the top of everyone’s must reads to 2012. You won’t be disappointed, promise. Even if you haven’t been to Nepal…you’ll want to go after reading this book.

xoxo – Rach

I have so many stories, photos and videos to share.  I scarcely don’t know where to begin.  I feel a huge obligation to the people of Nepal not to forget everything I saw.  And to tell the rest of the world how incredibly humble, happy and resilient the Nepali people are.

I’m still working through everything that a trip like this gives you, but I promise to share more as the desire stirs in my heart.  And as I find the words that the Nepali people deserve.

A quick glimpse into Nepal.  My wonderful host family in the village of Phulali.  We were the first westerns to ever stay in the village let alone help build a school.  Honor doesn’t go far enough. Boys enjoying the view while reading

This is the view of Phulali as we hiked into the village.  The pile of rock and dirt to the right is where the school will be.

The view as we left the village just 7 days later.

A progression shot of the site.  All the rocks were moved, crushed, dirt sifted by us or the incredibly strong Nepali workers.  No earth movers here!Bright, resilient, and giddy with happiness these are just three of the girls that will benefit from the school.

And just a few shots of Nepal life.

My life will never be the same in the best way possible.  Nepal has a piece of my heart forever and I can’t wait to share more stories of these beautiful people.

Humbled and so much gratitude.  Life is good.

Tomorrow I leave for Nepal, to a tiny village in the Everest Region where we’ll be filling bags of sand to build a school.  A school that you helped to bring to life.  There are so many people that helped bring this wild and hairy idea I had to make a trip to Nepal come true.  So many anonymous and others I know.  I have so much gratitude for your contributions to my journey.  I’m packing my heart full of all of you and your generosity.  Your thoughts and well wishes.  Your prayers and heart felt love.  I want to take it all with me and share it with everyone I meet.  Show them just how much people so far away care and love them.

It’s weird to say, but I have no expectations for the trip.  No expectations in the sense that I’m keeping my heart and soul open to whatever I meet.  I want to soak up all the sites, sounds and people I meet.  I want to take little snap shots in my mind (and in the camera) to remember as much as I can.  I want this trip to mold me in whatever way God sees fit. And come back to share everything that I saw and felt.  Bring a little piece of Nepal back with me.

So much gratitude for everyone’s love and support.  I can’t tell you how much it means to me.  You are loved.

Because of the nature of the trip I will not have internet or phone access for the duration of the trip, so please have patience.  I will return emails and phone calls after my return on December 5th.

I leave for Nepal tomorrow…it still doesn’t feel real.