It is more blessed to give than to receive

As father Seawell pointed out this morning, I leave in a week from tomorrow - or next Thursday. August 11th. So soon.

Packing is on the top of my hate list right up next to drying dishes. Gift buying is a close third. I never know what to get people, especially people I have never met before. Mom forced me to go all over town last week in search of the perfect host gifts. Luckily for me she is good gift getter. Without her I would have probably ended up buying a stuffed bear wearing an Ohio t-shirt. After going to about 15 shops we bought a crock (i think thats what it's called?) - it's basically a ceramic bowl with a lid and Findlay and a leafy pattern painted/dyed onto it - some dietsch hard candies to fill the crock, a findlay, Ohio wood engraved pen, an oldschool map of findlay with Findlay's history on it and thank you cards with a different historic building on each one. I think we did well. My new family may not be able to read the map or understand why I think they might want a map of my hometown, but I have a feeling my gifts will be well received. I kind of have goosebumps just thinking about giving my new family these things and explaining who I am and what my hometown is like. And I just know that even though I will be giving gifts they will be giving me the bigger gift of opening their home to me and loving me like their daughter. I'm scared. I'm nervous. But i'm ready to receive their gift and start this next chapter of my life.