Things that are happening in the end of September that are slightly important:

1. September 25th... Golf Tournament at Chateau Elan (That's right, folks. Said in snotty British accent- Chateau Elan. A fine winery, if you will.) Play golf, help provide water for a thirsty child. Fair trade, I'd say.

2. September 26th... 9 a.m. Strides for Strength 5k. Run a 5k. Walk a 5k. Either way, feed a hungry brother in Nicaragua.

3. September 26th... 1 p.m. Pedal for the Poor, 4 mile or 16 mile Bike Ride. Strap on your neon helmet, tie the basket to the front of your wheels, and help build a school in a rural community and hand hope of a different future to Nicaraguan children.

4. September 26th... 3 p.m. Salsa Showdown. Top Chef style, cut throat and serious. Dice some tomatoes and provide pipe that will connect to a well that will bring water to dried out crops.

5. September 26th... All day. Run about through Suwannee Town Center Park, listen to great live music, dance in the grass, play tons of games, jump on those inflatable jumpy things, eat delicious food.

6. September 26th... 10:30 p.m. Find me in the corner passed out from exhaustion, put me in the car, drive me home, and tuck me in. Wake me up at some point, buy me a drink, and tell me I don't have to do this again until next September.

In all seriousness, I would love to have the support of my family and friends in this endeavor. I have never been one who is good at asking for donor support, which is what kept me from coming to Nicaragua for several years. Before I was on full time staff, I used my own paychecks to send me on these mision trips, because the idea of asking for money makes me that uncomfortable. However, this is different. I live amongst people who are in need. This summer, we worked in the community of El Chonco, laboring it out to build a school for children who would otherwise have no hope of every being anything other than what their parents knew. I got to know these people, I spent time in their houses, laughing hysterically and telling stories of both joy and heart break. This year, the Celebrate Service Festival is raisining money for the community of El Chonco. Specifically, we are working on a water system to provide each of the houses in the area with running water for cooking, bathing, drinking. So, this year, asking for support is different, because I am not asking you to finance something that I could on my own. This year, I am asking for help because we can't build this water system on our own.

Come join us the last weekend in September. Be a part of a greater thing. Check it out-

http://www.amigosforchrist.org/

www.firstgiving.com/kellyfitzgerald1

It is September 4th. I have been Stateside for an entire week now, and have eaten at Chickfila approximately 4 times. I have taken at least 21 hot showers, and drank 9 glasses of ice cold skim milk. I have slept in sweatpants and sweatshirt each night, sometimes complementing the outfit with a pair of wooly socks. I have also contracted pink eye three times. Twice in my right eye, once in my left. I have complained 48 times about the cold, be it outside or fabricated cold inside some icebox of a restaurant, and complained 3 times about how expensive things are in the civilized world.

The greatest thing I have done since my return home, however, took place yesterday evening, at Taco Mac in Atlanta, seated next to my dear friend, Amber Smith. Last night was our first reunion since I left, and Amber, a knower of my soul indeed, had very exact plans for our time together.

As I awoke yesterday morning, something in my soul stirred. A familar feeling washed over me that took me but a moment to place. Yesterday, my dear friends, was start of the greatest holiday season of all time. Yesterday was, indeed, the first college football game of the year. "Happy Gameday!" exlaimed a text message from Amber, sent , no doubt, as soon as she had woken up. Obviously, there would be no questions as to what we would be doing together that evening, and we found ourselves seated in front of a big screen TV, eyes glued to the jerseys of USC and NC State, hearts hoping for a thrown visor on Spurrier's end. The season has begun and my heart will once more be at ease knowing that collge football has returned, but will also start to panic as I stress over what Mike Bobo, Willie Martinez, and Mark Richt will be directing our boys to do.

Tragedy strikes, as I will only be making a brief appearance in America during this blessed season. My Dawgs will have to play their hearts out without me when they battle Auburn, Georgia Tech, Tennessee Tech, Vandy, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Tim Tebow. I cringe now realizing how many games I will have to watch through poor internet connections, and I wonder just how possible it will be to tailgate from our Casa. We do have an excellent grill, folding chairs, bug spray, cheap beer, and random drunk neighbors- which, as far as I am concerned, is an excellent recipe for tailgating.

The silver lining to this cloud is that next Saturday, I will take a deep breath and breathe in Athens air. Not just any Athens air (though Athens air is lovely no matter how it is taken in, be it the petchulli of dirty athens hippies or the cologne of a slightly intoxicated frat boy), but Athens Saturday in the Fall air. It is perhaps the most rejuvenating thing for a person's lungs, the sweet smell of hamburgers grilling, leaves falling, and victory. I can taste the crisp air just thinking about it. Dear Lord, Thank you for making Athens, Georgia so that we all could have a little taste of Heaven.