Sunday, May 9th, 2010 8:45PM

Oh how my love for the people in El Salvador grows and we have only been here one day. Their stories touched my heart and almost made me cry, and I think it's just so amazing how God can use someone you don't even know to touch your heart, and reach you on different levels. They may not even have the same story as you, but it still touches you to hear their stories and see how great and wonderful God really is. It is still sinking in that I am on my first mission trip, in another country. What an awesome way to begin one of the best summers ever. Whatever happens, I am going to give it to God, no matter the circumstances.

Sunday, May 9th, 2010 6:17PM

The flight from Houston to El Salvador went great. I took a little nap and then I couldn't fall back asleep. When we finally landed in El Salvador it was absolutely breathtaking. It was interesting going through customs, especially since I don't speak a lick of spanish, hah. The ride on the bus was incredible, but it was sad going from the rich area, to straight poverty in a matter of minutes. I can't even begin to wrap my mind around. We learned our six dances, and it has been a wonderful first day.

Sunday, May 9th, 2010 9:21AM

Murphy: Sometimes you gotta go through something to get to what you need.

So the first flight went well. Now we are on a full flight to San Salvador, and we will be getting there in about three hours. I will probably fall asleep on this flight, just because I don't know if I will be able to keep my eyes open. I am also getting ready to turn my cell phone off for the last time and I am about to lose contact with everyone but the people on my team. It's going to be wierd not talking to anyone for 10 days. Hmmm.

Sunday, May 9th, 2010 7:18AM

So we get to the airport at 5:40AM, and security took a while to get through. Good news though, my bag only weighed 44.5 pounds!!! Woohoo!!! We boarded the plane on time, but with delays in Houston our flight got pushed back 30 minutes.
As I am sitting here looking out this window, I realize what I am actually about to do. This is my first time out of the country ever. I look at our amazing team God has put together, knowing we will get stuff accomplished once we get there.
Now we are in the air, and my nerves are building up. I don't know what to expect, all I know is that my world is about to be turned upside down. Although I am ready for it. I am open for change, and I am ready for God to mold my heart. I am also ready to see if this is going to be a passion of mine.
...Also, this flight is seeming to go pretty smooth. Houston, we are coming for you :)

Oh My Goodness.

I can't believe I will be in El Salvador in 15 days. It's crazy how time just flies by. May 9th is just around the corner! And I've also got all my money raised for the trip! So exciting!!! Keep my team in your prayers, we will need them :)

Final projects are due week after next, and it's starting to get crazy!!! Oh how I cannot wait for May 7th. I have been counting down since the beginning of the semester. It's sad I know, but it is finally creeping up. I've been taking crazy amounts of pictures, which is a good thing. I have finally got my website set up!! nataliephillips.zenfolio.com

And I have also ordered my first round of business cards! It's been an exciting past couple of months!! Tomorrow night is CPHS Prom, and I am taking the formal pictures, and I am so excited! I also have my last senior shoot tomorrow morning!! Yay for busy weekends.

Well that's all for now, sorry for not posting in a whileeee!

love, natalie. :)

64 Days in Counting!

It's getting really hard for me to believe that my team and I only have 64 days until we leave for El Salvador. It doesn't seem like it is right around the corner! I still have so much to do!! But I believe that if God gave me the opportunity to go on this trip, he will provide a way for me to go!

Tomorrow I will be second shooting for the first time at a wedding, and I am pumped!

Yay for an exciting weekend! :)

Love, natalie.

Too Much Excitement to Contain!!!

Words cannot even explain my excitement right now! A lot of things in my life are becoming much clearer to me.

This is probably the saddest part of this post, but the rest will be pure joy. Two days ago, three people I went to high school with, got in a really bad car accident, two died, and one is still alive. I went to the funeral home last night, to pay my respects, and I realized how quick memories come back. On June 12, it'll make three years that Haddie has been gone. She got hit head on by a drunk driver, and I didn't understand why her. There really isn't an explanation for it, but I know God needed her more than we did. Last night, I was talking to old classmates, and I realized, that there isn't anything to say to make any of this better, it just takes a lot of time for healing. It is also hard to believe that three years ago, I was in there shoes. it's just hard watching someone else go through exactly what you went through, and them not understanding why. My prayers go out to the class of 2010.

Next thing, I have 71 days until I leave for El Salvador, from May 9th through the 19th. This will be my first mission trip, and I am super excited. We are doing fundraisers, and I am in the midst of writing letters for support. All I know is that the next 71 days are going to be chaotic, and full of excitement!!!

And the next thing, two days after I get back from El Salvador, I leave for staff training at Kids Across America. I am one out of 2200 that will be working there this summer. I will be working at K-2, for the second term, which is June 23rd through July 19th. And my job there is being a photographer, which is what I love doing, so technically it's not a job! I am so excited about all of the doors that God has opened, that have been full of opportunites! I truly am blessed.

I will be posting another update soon! Oh, and happy birthday mom!

Love, natalie.