Since my last post in November, we ended the year. Christmas came and went. 2014 began. The polar vortex made me colder than I’ve ever been in my life. And I turned 30 last weekend.
I do want to apologize for not posting in December. It was really ironic… I talked in my snail mail newsletter about slowing down and savoring the season… and then my life got so busy I never even saw my tree (so to compensate I kept it up 3 weeks into January!). But I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas… and if you did not receive a snail mail newsletter from me and would like to, please email me your mailing address at [email protected].
I used to dislike January because it’s so “blah” in Georgia. Snowpacolypse 2011 was really fun, but other than that it’s usually gray and dreary. But last week we even saw flurries, and as I write this, it’s snowing outside! It’s a January miracle! (And since I’m posting this the day after, now we know the aftermath. Praying for everyone who are stuck/impacted by this).
So what if I got locked out without a coat taking the picture below (and obviously no shoes either)… Worth it!
And this year I discovered the true beauty of January – a chance to rest after the craziness of December. It’s been so needed … and so welcome. How did I miss this before?
And with a “milestone” birthday just passed, I’ve spent a lot of thinking, remembering, and thanking God. I spent a lot of time last year thinking about how I was going to spend the day. I wanted to do something I’d remember for the rest of my life. And I was able to celebrate the best way of all- with people I love. It started with a girls’ day, pedis, and my favorite restaurant with dear friends and ended at my parents’ house with my poodle sleeping on my ankles while a fire crackled in the fireplace. I felt so loved. Thank you to everyone who sent birthday messages, whether in email, FB, phone, or snail mail! You made me feel so special!
So, what’s ahead for 2014… and my 30th year? Continuing in the path that began a few years ago at AIM. I’m now in my 4th year of being on staff, and am loving my role in Accounting. I feel very… “this is where I’m supposed to be” in this stage of my life, if that makes any sense. What a great feeling! I will also go on three trips this year:
April 3-10 – Guatemala
May 28 – June 6 – Thailand
July 9-21 – India
In my newsletter, I asked for you to consider sending special end-of-year gifts in hopes of raising enough to cover the last two trips (the first will be paid from my tax refund). Because of your generosity, enough financial support came in to cover my flight to Thailand! At this point, I need to raise support for ground costs in Thailand and flight/ground costs for India: approximately $3000.
To give financially, you can click “Support Me” on the top left of the screen for an online donation, or send a check to:
Adventures in Missions, INC.
P.O. Box 742570
Atlanta, GA 30374-2570
Please make all checks out to AIM and write “Kristen Torres-Toro” in the Memo line.
Thank you so much!
So, what else? Most of you know that I volunteer with Purchase Effect, an LLC that my friend, Connie Rock, founded. This month she celebrated 2 years being an official LLC, which is so cool! It’s so neat to see how God is working and leading her in this business, and I am so thankful to be a small part!
2013 was a lot of fun; Purchase Effect averaged a show every month and launched a real website with an online store! We just finished a busy Christmas season and are looking forward to this next year, which begins with possibly adding a new location/ministry/line of products that will be created with Purchase Effect in mind! Connie leaves for Nigeria in a few days, where she will go with a friend for two weeks. This friend and four other amazing women were my teammates on the 30- person Thailand team Connie led last May. They invited me to fly up with her to Chicago this weekend so that Purchase Effect could be transported up as well- and then they will host a show after the Nigeria team leaves!
It was such a surprise and God made it happen, even providing the Skymiles for the flight. So I leave on Thursday and will fly back Sunday night. I’m excited to see these friends, to see Purchase Effect in action in Chicago, and to see a new place (for me). In fact, I should probably start packing!
If you would like to know more about the Nigeria trip and her hopes for it, here is a link to Connie’s blog.
Thank you, once again for everything! Happy January… here’s to it (hopefully) warming up soon! But as for right now… I’m loving this beautiful view.
