Wait, there's a new girl?! (I'm sure someone had that thought.)

Hello! I know I'm joining the gang late, but it's crazy and I don't feel awkward about it because the Lord has known for so long that I would be joining this team, and I just find comfort in His perfect timing and plan. 

So, now that we've addressed that... 

Ariel Renee Ford is my name. Most of the time it's just Ariel (AIR-E-L). 

My "home" is Duluth, Georgia. (Really cool that there’s so many places named Duluth!) This is like 20 minutes north of the city of Atlanta which is a lot more commonly known (and where we're all going to meet up!). So sometimes I just say I’m from Atlanta. I call that home because that is where my mother lives, but honestly I rarely go there. I spend most of my time in Florida.

I currently live in Gainesville, Florida and I have a sister that lives in Orlando, Florida. So I spend my time between here and there.  

 I’m in Gainesville because I am a student at the University of Florida.

(Wooooo Goooo Gatorssss!!! I promise to teach you all how to Gator Chomp by the end of the summer!!)

I am a nursing major and I am in my third year of college, so next year is my last year and then I become a nurse, God willing. Right now I believe that the Lord is calling me to medical missions, which is one reason why I looked into taking a mission trip this summer. It’s about time I get some exposure. I have a heart for using my skills and training to tangibly serve and meet the physical needs of people in other countries while simultaneously sharing the greatest love story I’ve ever heard, the gospel.

Right now I do not work. I live off financial aid, my parents, and the goodness of the Lord. 

I enjoy laughing a lot. I enjoy learning new and interesting things. I love going to the movies (I love watching movies in general). I  enjoy getting my nails painted because it makes me feel luxurious. I love spending time with my sister. She is my best friend and I tend to talk about her a lot, maybe too much. I am an apprentice for a microchurch, which is the same thing as a small group, and I love spending time with the girls and talking about Jesus. I like to teach, so I end up doing it inadvertently. I like to talk. I like to marvel at nature (anyone down to watch the sunrise with me?!).  

Important stuff: I am very afraid of bugs! I am also afraid of cats. My name, Ariel, means “Lion of God” in Hebrew! I got it tattooed on me a month ago (my first tattoo). I can sometimes be very fiercely excited, especially when talking about the bible, so my name fits well. I am terrible with grammar. Please forgive my mistakes! I am pretty short, like 5 feet exactly. I look really young. I’m 20 but I could easily pass for 13. I have Invisalign©, which means I have to brush my teeth and floss after EVERY meal. Ugh, so stressful. I don’t speak Spanish fluently. However, I did have 4 years of Spanish classes in high school so I remember a few words and phrases. I love avocado. 

 I have never been on a mission trip before. I’ve only ever been out the country on cruises. However, like I said earlier, my dream is to spend my life vaccinating babies in Africa (more figurative than literal, but basically) so I plan to do a lot of traveling in my future. I imagine that I will do a lot of my work in South and Central America, so Honduras is a perfect place for me to start. 

 I’m nervous about the bugs. Bugs stress me out a little. I don’t want to get malaria. Other than that, I’m so ready to go. Even the fact that I’m actually going on this trip is a huge testimony. Many little things have come together in very intentional ways to bring me to this place. I’ve been praying to be the hands and feet of the Lord and I think he’s about to answer that prayer in insane ways. The Lord wants me here and I want to be here. I’m praying for incredible, miraculous, life-changing things to happen this summer. I could go on forever, but I won’t. I’ll save it for when we meet.

Sidenote: Please add/accept me on fb and be my friend! I love friends and I feel like I’m getting a late start into this friendship, but I definitely know I belong here. Can’t wait to meet you all. I’ve read your blogs and expect great things!!

Love,

Ariel