It's all getting Closer...

It is absolutely crazy how fast the summer has gone by. I see that I wrote my last post at the end of June and now it is the middle of August... HOLY MAN! It all started off a little slow but soon enough it zipped past our eyes like no other. I only have three days before I start my orientation in Syracuse for my year of volunteering in Costa Rica. I thought I better fill y'all in on a few things that I have accomplished... or well at least attempted to accomplish before I get too far behind.

Here we go:

I actually didn't do too much this summer besides train for my half marathon and study for the not soo fun of a test MCAT. I worked a few odd jobs to get a little cash flow. Got a few dirty looks from the kids I called out on a pitch that might have been a little over their head...oh well it was only Summer Rec. Tasted a few good samples for Schwans that landed me $15 bucks each time. Stayed cool in the midst of the power washers while cleaning up those trucks and lastly worked on my tan by picking rock and bailing straw for the Regniers... haha thanks Chad! Anyway... they all helped out over the summer and who doesn't like a little physical labor here and there!

I mentioned that I studied and took the MCAT... not the greatest experience in my life...all I can say is better luck next time? I find out the score here at the end of the month so who knows, maybe it wasn't too rough. It was a difficult test but now I know and if need be, will be even more prepared for the next time I need to sit in front of computer for five hours and pull my hair out.

One of the highlights of the summer was running a successful half marathon. I think it was easier than the MCAT. I would have never thought... as would many others... that I would run 13.1 without stopping.. WHEW! I did it though and in a time of 2 hours and 15 seconds. Not too shabby! I ran it with a few friends from school and we all did great! I am thinking of keepin the training up while in Costa Rica. Go run a few mountains or volcanoes and come back and do a full marathon... don't hold your breath though :)

After taking the test and running marathon... it allowed me to focus on my packing for Costa Rica. I took my test the 5th of august, ran the 7th and was leaving for the east coast on the 11th. I didn't pack at all until after I was done with my test and the run so... I was cutting it close. I didn't have too hard of a time this time around unlike when I went to Guate. Packed my backpacking bag, a carry on and my book bag. Hopefully it will be enough... we will see!

So the 9th I spent my last night at home for the year which was a weird feeling. On the 10th I left home to head up to the cities to have one last family outing before I got on my plane to leave for the east coast. I had a great time hitting up the Mall of America and sitting in long lines for some rides. Was a blast! Also we hit up the links on the mini golf course and then ended up losing Mom in the mirror maze and having to call in the rescue team! We then headed out to Joe Sensors for dinner where Kirby, Becky and Megan all joined us for supper. Thanks again guys for being their to spend my last night in Minnesota! After a goodbye to my brother, a quick trip to Walmart of some essentials, a struggle with a sleeping bag (in which it won) I closed my eyes and to my last night in Minnesota.

It was an early wake up to catch the shuttle to the airport to stand in more long lines. Soon enough it was the time I had been dreading... saying my goodbyes to the people I care about the most. One of the most difficult things I have had to do! It was my luck that the lines started to go faster too so I was even rushed. It was quick goodbye but it maybe was for the best.. I probably would have been a huge mess otherwise.

Soon enough I was through security and kinda jogging to my gate because I was a wee bit late. Jumped on and was on my way to Allentown PA where Mary Todd was there to pick me up. We headed out to Trail's End Camp where I spent four days hanging out with some more friends before I leave. Had a blast seeing my campers from previous years and hittin up the Big A with those friends that I see once in a blue moon.

After camp Sara Fetterfoof and I got in the car and road tripped up to see Corey Bailey. I am currently in Good Ole Elmira NY, livin the dream. Did a little site seeing of Mark Twain and Ernie Davis' grave, did a little putt putt, walked a Gorge and hit up the Sand Dollar. Corey has been a great tour guide that is for sure!

Tomorrow we are headed up to Buffalo to relax on a lake and then off to Syracuse to begin the long awaited adventure! I have been truly blessed with such a great summer and family and friends that mean so much! No one could ask for anything more! I will keep you posted when things get a little closer...

Till then!

Starting it all off....

Well here it goes... the first post of my life actually and the first to start off what will about to become, cross your fingers as I am doing too, one of the best experiences of my life. I just had a recent article published in the local paper, the Minneota Mascot. I am very happy and please with how nice it was for them to contact me and how beautifully it was written! I may live in small town but it definitely has a large heart for the amount of care and support that have shown me! I hope be a great representative of our community to the new community that I will be soon entering! Thank you again all you of the Minneota Community!

Other than that, life has been continuing on. I am still currently studying for the MCAT and will be taking that July 30th in which I am asking for a prayers and few miracles here and there as well! It's a tough one but it will all be work out... I just have to keep a positive attitude!

Along with that I am also still training to Run the Minnesota Half Marathon as a fundraiser for my trip. I have to raise $1,800 for travel, medical purposes and other retreat cost. Any thing that I would raise over that will go directly to mission that I will be working for through the FrancisCorps. I will attatch the fundraising letter if you would like to take a peak at it and if you would like to make a contribution you can find all the necessary information! If you are not able to assist, I totally understand and just ask for your prayers throughout my experience!

I will write again soon to keep updates on how things are going...

Que le vaya bien! (Hope all goes well!)

Jordan

Fundraising Letter

Help Send This Chico to Help the Ticos!

Hola a Todas… or Hello All!

I am writing to share with you a vision in which God has called me to act on and has graciously given me the opportunity take part in over the next year. I believe that I have been called to live and work as a FrancisCorps Volunteer in San José, Costa Rica for one year, beginning September 3, 2010. FrancisCorps is a Franciscan sponsored faith-based volunteer program for recentely graduated Catholic-Christian college students. The work I plan to do as a volunteer will include tutoring, mentoring and assisting the students at Fernando Centeno Guell School- a school for blind, deaf and mentally challenged students in San José. I will be working with a staff of professionals including teachers, social workers, and counselors and other volunteers.

Latin proverbs states, By learning you will teach, by teaching you will learn. It is my hope that my being in Costa Rica and working with the FrancisCorps will help me experience the true meaning behind this insightful quote. It will be by learning from those around me that will teach me the most that I will need to know to provide the most beneficial service I can. I have been blessed throughout my life with so many things that I hope I can in return give back to those that are less fortunate than many of us are. It is my goal to work, live and grow with the Costa Ricans so that we can learn and teach each other throughout our time together.

I ask for your prayers. My work cannot be sustained without God’s guidance and presence in my life. It will be through his wonderful and glorious works that will guide me to do what will be most beneficial for the people I will be serving and give me a chance to grow mentally, physically and spiritually. But with all things there comes a cost, in which I am writing to you today for assistance. I must raise $1,800 to assist with my travel and medical insurance expenses so that I can fulfill the wonderful experience that has called me to serve. Instead of just asking for donations, I thought I need to work a little bit for it so I have signed myself up for my first ever half marathon. I will be running the Minnesota Half Marathon on August 7th in the Twin Cities and am asking for your support through both prayers… because I will need them, and by sponsoring the 13.1 miles I will run. I was thinking you could make donations for each mile I run or if you just want to make a general donation. Please, do not feel obligated to do this; support through prayers is just as great too.

Even better for you… all donations are tax-deductible. Checks should be made out to FrancisCorps Volunteers-Costa Rica Fund. Please return your donations by July 31st. I will forward them on to Brother Jim Moore, OFM Conv, the Director of FrancisCorps or you can send them in my name to FrancisCorps Volunteers, P.O. Box 11166, Syracuse, NY, 13218.

I have enclosed a stamped, self addressed return envelope for your convenience. I promise I will keep in touch with you during my travels. If you wouldn’t mind passing on your email or mailing address, I can make sure you receive the stories and pictures of my time with the FrancisCorps. You can also keep up with me through my blog at www.jordandifferding.blogspot.com I will try and keep it updated as much as possible but I don’t want to miss out on action down there so bear with me  I also welcome any questions that you may have as well. Please feel free to contact me at 507.828.0271 or by email at jmdifferdin@gmail.com

I pray that you will share in this wonderful opportunity that God has graced me with.

Thank you so much and God Bless