some pictures!

^- Me in front of the Washington Monument [it was pouring rain!!]

^ -This is a view from the bridge between Washington DC and Virginia!

^- This was an awesome group of people we met at William & Mary

^- We met up with Elli [Rob Young's sister] for lunch in VA

^- Us in front of the V-tech memorial, very moving

^- Me in front of  the Robert E. Lee statue [wishing Dustin was with me, of course]

So that is all I have for now. I still need to buy a camera :-\ so hopefully I will have some more soon!

love you all!

so I am really bummed right now because I wrote a really long blog to update everyone and it erased. ughhhh. 

for now, go to www.linkglobal.org/blog/northeast to follow my team's blog.

also, just continue following that blog because it will be more frequently updated.

sorry friends,

-bren

chapter 4

Hi blog followers!

Sorry it has been so long since I have updated, but please know that I am so busy on the road and rarely have internet   :-\

So take this as a joyful moment! I have been enjoying tour so much and seeing so many beautiful cities & states. When we first left the office Wednesday, March 11th @ 9am we drove straight from Torrance, CA to Grinnell, Iowa. Yes, straight through. A total of 30 hours no stops [minus gas, food & potty breaks!] We rotated sleeping to push through the drive. We are crazy!! 

We spent the night at Nancy's friend in Iowa and the next morning drove for 20 hours until we arrived in Richmond, Virginia. We stayed here for a few days at Rob Young's parents house. It was beautiful & big! His family was so generous and hospitable towards us. I tried so many new things for the first time like salmon, carrot cake, chicken salad, sashimi, and many, many Korean dishes! 

It has definitely been a step out of my comfort zone  & my natural element, however I vowed to myself and my team before I left, that while in the road I would "maximize every opportunity/experience to its full potential"! This includes trying new things for the first time, even if I know it will be disgusting, haha. 

I have really grown in love with the Korean culture. The families that we have stayed with thus far, have amazing stories and amazing hearts. The students we have come in contact with have been so passionate, and this encourages me to keep pushing through each day no matter how hard it gets. 

I am so blessed by the Lord to have been given this opportunity to explore and create a movement amongst many different faces. I am so grateful to LiNK for allowing me to come on board with them as well. 

A week ago I bought a "how to learn Korean" book and I have been studying just about every other day. I am so excited to learn Korean and because of this tour I am really considering going to South Korea to learn the language, as well as the culture. 

I am basically not putting any restrictions or limitations on what God has in store for me in this chapter of my life. 

My dear friends & family, this blog can not express how much I miss and love all of you, I can't wait to see you all again. Please continue to keep me posted on your lives.

ALSO!!!! since it is hard for me to update this blog, please also follow my team's blog @

www.linkglobal.org/blog/northeast

there will find videos, pictures and more updates while we are on the road.

<3

For now, here are a few pictures of that past week on tour! [ok so the pics didn't work, but i will get them up soon!]

-we did a screening at Virginia Tech and visited the memorial for the shootings. so touching.

-in Charlottesville, Virginia we visited some historical sites [Took a picture in front of the Robert E Lee statue! for you Dusty <3]

chapter three

I can not believe that I am leaving for the Eastcoast TOMORROW morning! I feel like this has all happened so fast, yet simultaneously it feels like I have been sitting in this office in Torrance, CA for a year. The truth comes down to the fact that I am tired, overwhelmed, excited, emotional, anxious, nervous and so many more crazy emotions. Overall, I am READY. During my intense training with LiNK there were times where I was hesitant or apprehensive, but I know now that it is in front of me, that I am ready. It's go time!

Today was our final day of training/booking/packing/everything. It is over now. My team & I just did our last mock screening and it went really well. I love my team. I am so encouraged by them and so excited to see what they will teach me! 

I will try to update this as much as possible, but on the road it won't be as easy.

For now, check out my team's facebook:

I love you all! Keep me updated about your lives!!

chapter 2 part 2

Here are the wonderful people I have been working with : LiNK Nomads!

[credit: angie welsch]

Chapter Two

Since my last post, I had my last shift at CPK, moved out of my apartment, left some awesome people and moved to Torrance, CA. I am currently working for LiNK [Liberty in North Korea], a non-profit organization that I previously talked about in my previous chapter. 

Becky, Megan & I arrived to the LiNK office in Torrance on Monday and have been exhaustively working early to late ever since. It has been by far, the most intense training that I have ever been a part of.... and i LOVE it. There is something thrilling about being spontaneous, and putting your thoughts & desires into action. The people that are in this office and working for LiNK are some incredible people, with fascinating stories. 

We [the LiNK Nomads] have all been divided into teams & US regions. My team is the "North East Team" and it is myself, and two crazy-awesome people, Josh & Nancy. I am sure you will be hearing more about those two in chapters to come :] They have also been teaching me a little Korean. [chin-chu!] or something like that...

AHHH. I am just trying to even recall all that has happened in that past few days, but I am even having trouble with that! It has been so educating, and exciting as well as terrifying, all in the same time. I will be able to extend on some of these experiences in my "part 2 of Chapter 2", but for now, duty calls!

I love you all so much, thank you for your support in my journey :]

PS- My team & I will be heading for the East Coast this coming Wednesday! WHOA!!