africa alison.

pretty typical.

this is my friend Alison, have you heard of her? haha

we took these pics at my "Camp shower" so we could have pics of us when she gets to Rwanda. 

you see, we are both photogs so we never are in a pic TOGETHER.

clearly, we can't be normal.  

but this is pretty typical.

honestly, it's so strange that we've lived in the same town for almost 4 years & before our Africa trip only hung out twice.  but she is now in my very revered "Al(l)ison club" and I have named her Africa Alison.

she joins the other very special Al(l)isons in my life

from L to R:

Baylor Alli, Life Coach Alison, Africa Alison, and Midland Alli

pretty big deal, let me tell ya.

I seriously teared up when I saw this picture for the first time.  

we often joke that I have so many BEST friends name Al(l)ison and my poor husband has a really hard time keeping up when I talk about them all :)  

Nevertheless, Alison is in it.  

Since we've gotten back from Africa, we've probably spent on average 4.5 days a week together.

tuesday africa girls lunches at the harpers, target runs, starbucks, garage sale-ing, orange leaf, chasing the cops around my neighborhood at midnight, birthday parties, tuesday bible study, photo sessions, editing breaks, texts all day when she was working, and a lot of talking on the phone, noonday parties, and texting at 2 am when we are both still up editing.  

we've talked life, jesus, africa, photography, family, relationships, high school, mentoring, we've joked, we've laughed, heck she is just the easiest person to talk to.  one of those people that you become friends with then she is loyal to the end.  she's stuck with me now.  

With Alison moving, I feel the same way I did before Chloe left.  {except the small detail that I was actually in Africa when Chlo left}

really excited that she's about to go & embark on this adventure that God has lead her to.

giving up the comforts of her cush life in America for the countryside of Rwanda.

ready to hear stories, see pictures, know how to more specifically pray for the kids at Noel, have her love on my boys at Noel.  ready for her adventure to start.  after all the fundraising, praying, long talks, and awareness that has been raised - heck, just like she's felt for a while, I too am ready for her to just get on the plane and be there!

but unlike when Chloe left, I know now what it's going to be like when she's gone.

I know now that next time I go to Target, it's not going to be the same.  

I might shed a few tears as I walk up & down the aisles without my Africa Alison.

I know about the nights that I'll be catching up on her blog while taking a long hot bath & I'll just sit there and bawl.

I'll stalk facebook, email, skype and her blog every day without fail.

I'll talk about her obsessively, and I'll want to call her cell to just listen to her voicemail.

I'll wonder what she's doing & picture her loving on those sweet butternugs at Noel.

I'll do anything to be there in the flesh with her.  

I'm not looking forward to that part. 

it's tough.  and thats ok.  life and sacrifice and giving your life away for the kingdom isn't easy.

Jesus never promised it would be.  

but it's in giving our lives away, that we find them.

and that is why I am EXCITED for Alison to go.

despite the fact that my life in Midland will seem so much less fun & exciting without her in it.  

see, we can be normal.

Alison - I love you sister and will be praying for you & thinking of you every second.

and we'll be following along your journey.  http://sassandcrafts.blogspot.com/

thank you Lord that 2 days after Alison leaves, you bring Chloe back to me for a few weeks.

you are so good like that.