Tat tat tat it up!

That's right, no need in fixing your computer monitor, 'ole JP got a tattoo. Last Saturday, October the 20th Ashley, Eric, and I made the trek up to Hendersonville, NC to Empire Tattoos to get the body art done. (Shout out to Jeremy-I'm coming back for another soon!) I have wanted a tattoo for years! And finally, the day came. Dad always said, "Not while I'm paying the bills." I respected Dad's wishes and waited until I was financially on my own to get the art work. And...I love it. I can see where people say that it is an "addiction". Once you get one, you just keep on coming back for more!

FAQ's:

Did it hurt: You know, it really wasn't that bad. The tattoo guy, Jeremy, would put the needle to the skin for about 3 seconds, and then wipe, 3 seconds, and wipe...so the pain was never that bad. I winced a few times, but that was it!.

Why Africa? Well, I wanted something that has meaning in my life. Any future tattoo that I get I want to also either be from a significant event or something that has eternal significance in my life. Africa definitely qualified. Going changed my prospective on life, I always want to help and support Africa in some way. Conveniently, it is my job right now, but even when this season passes I would like to be involved in this beautiful continent somehow.

Right now, I have two countries outlined: Kenya and Swaziland. I've served in Kenya during the summer (going back this week) and will be going to Swaziland this week. I wanted the tattoo to be a lifelong project. Whenever I enter another country (not just the airport) I can throw another outline on my back.

I put it on my back so that I could cover it up when needed, but show it off when I wanted to! It's a constant reminder of the situations in Africa...a reminder that I/We can do something about it.

So, there it is. I'm a fan. I'm thinking of the next tattoo right now. Right now I'm thinking "MotherLand" tattooed on my side waistline. If you have any good ideas, send them my way.