First of all, I have to confess that I have major issues coming up with titles for things. Whether it's papers for school, blog posts, or anything in general- I have such a ridiculously perfectionist mindset when it comes to titles. So I'm going to write this and then decide on a title, because otherwise, I would spend hours looking at the blank title box and never actually write anything.

My name is Carrie-Anne Haufler, and it is constantly misspelled. Examples:

Cary, Kary, Kerry, Carry, Carri, Kerri, Karri....there's probably more.

And yes, the Anne ends with an "e". 

I won't even start on all the ways my last name has been misspelled.

All that to say, I really don't mind what you call me! Haha. Most of the people who know me best call me Carrie. And after these four months are over, I am pretty sure you guys will be some of the ones who know me best!

I live in Williamsburg, Virginia. It is really beautiful and rich in colonial American history, although I tend to take that for granted since I've lived here most of my life. It is definitely a tourist town and a popular place to retire, which means a lot of people who don't know where they're going drive very, very slowly. And for a girl who thinks the autobahn sounds incredibly exhilarating, you can imagine how that grates on my nerves! Ha. Overall, it's a fairly diverse city and most people are really friendly. 

I was homeschooled from first all the way through twelfth grade, and I just graduated this past June. Homeschooling was overall a great experience, and I wasn't desperately unsocialized or out of touch with the modern world as some rumors may have lead you to believe. College is on the radar for sometime in the next couple of years, and I'm certainly not putting it off due to a lack of desire to learn. It's just not where God is leading me at this moment. If/when I do go to college, I would most likely study music in some capacity or English. 

I work two jobs at the moment: I wait tables at an amazing European restaurant/art gallery, artcafe26; and I work at a Candy Store part time. Yes- a whole store full of hundreds or different kinds of candy. I have seen "like a kid in a candy store" live and in person!

As for my life when I'm not at work? I enjoy a lot of things. I'm really involved in my church, Christian Life Center, especially in the youth ministry- Generation Church. I co-lead a middle school girls small group with my best friend. If you don't know any incredible middle schoolers, I have some to introduce to you! These girls are the best. 

I also love to play the piano- I've been taking lessons for a while and I play for my church's worship team. When I don't get my hands on a piano for a while, I get a weird deep craving to play. And when I do, it's like therapy. Singing is also fun, but only when I'm in the car alone. Or home alone. Or alone, anywhere!

Speaking of the piano...I love music. Listening to it, playing it, thinking about it, analyzing it, halfheartedly attempting to create it- Jesus uses music to speak to me (challenge me, encourage me, create passion, etc.) more than almost anything else. I like most genres, although I have a harder time enjoying country, hip-hop and rap. Don't hate. (I have never said don't hate before...not sure where that came from!)

Likes/dislikes? Well, I like making lists, so...

Likes |

-Reading

-Writing

-People-watching

-Having deep conversations

-Organizing

-Eating sweets

-Driving with the windows all the way down

-Taking walks in Colonial Williamsburg/William and Mary campus

-Being a part of the body of Christ. It's a beautiful thing, doing life with people.

-Playing the piano and listening to music (I know I already said that, but it fits!)

-Trying new foods (especially ethnic foods)

-Big cities

Dislikes |

- I don't care much for television. 

- Gooey, cheesy, mushy foods.

- Roller coasters

- Being in water more than three feet deep

- Large spiders

- Heights

I have never been out of the country before, and I've never flown in an airplane. Crazy, I know- I am beyond excited for Uganda and all that will happen. I have been to Washington, D.C. with the Center for Student Missions and to New York City with NYSUM (New York School of Urban Ministry). I have so much I could say about these trips...but what I will say is that those were some of the most fulfilling and exciting weeks of my life. It's funny how when we devote ourselves to living like Jesus lived, truly, we find satisfaction and joy. Which is interesting, because at the same time there was so much heartache, hunger, and angst stirred up inside of me. The Christian life is one of conflict. 

And now for the part where I stop rambling on about me! Haha. Although this still is definitely about me, just in a different way. I am so looking forward to being in Uganda for four months. I am excited for a lot of things...for the relationships that will be built both with the Ugandan people, with our team, and the new relationships people will have with Jesus. I am eager to see another part of the world which is now only a shadow in my mind, a mere collection of pictures and information without faces and places to connect them to. Serving Jesus as, basically, my occupation for that time period will be amazing. New experiences, challenges, fears, breakthroughs, growth, change and stretching in my life is expected- which excites more than it scares me.

Silly confession- when I think about the practical aspects of living in Uganda, the thing that makes me pretty nervous (and that I keep thinking about for some reason!) is the toilet. Or the hole. Or whatever it will turn out to be. Not sure why that worries me so much...haha!

 I can't help but be naive about all that I will encounter and come up against during the trip, since it is for the most part an unknown. But I know that God knew what He was doing when he led me towards overseas missions instead of college this year, and then to AIM, and then to Uganda specifically. He's got it under control, and right now I'm bring challenged in stepping up and doing my part in preparation. One thing that keeps coming up when I pray for this trip is a breaking of fear over my life- fear of failure, fear of not being good enough, and just insecurity in general. God isn't afraid of my messing it up. And who am I to deprive people of all that God wants to do through me not only in Uganda, but right now, by my holding back? Now is the time. 

That was long. Phew! I can't seem to make putting a picture on here work. Here are a couple of links, then I will get down to figuring out that title...

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