My youth pastor for all my high school years moved to Florida to teach Bible at a Christian school. Last year when they moved, he asked me if I was mad at him like so many others were. I told him absolutely not. He did the same exact thing I did... followed God to a dream job in a tropical place... how could I be mad at that! He's doing awesome work there, but I'm so glad the family came up to visit while I was home!!
Last year I met a few girls from college in Chicago. There, it was a last hoorah before Janna and I moved to Indonesia. This year, we met in Chicago to eat yummy food, drink wine, and catch up on everyone's new husbands, jobs, and homes. We got an apartment that overlooked Millennium Park, and it was almost as though we never stopped living together, picking up our relationships right where we left them. I've seen Janna a bit every other weekend while I was in Indonesia, and it was fun to be back with the group where we first became friends. I'm so grateful for these girls and the blessing they've been in my life.
A trip to Pennsylvania for a family reunion with the extended family, and then a couple days with my grandparents and aunts was so good for my heart. I love this family so much. I've been blessed to have such a supportive family as I've gone out into the world. And I have grandparents that have left me with a fabulous legacy of serving God and loving people. It's amazing to see them continue in this, more and more every time I see them. I hope that as I age, I age as well and with as much passion as they have.
Being back in America allowed me to have a life like I always used to have during the summers (during those rare weeks when I was home from camp). Lots of graduation parties, picnics, and trips to get ice cream.
Evan and Alec. Evan, who is doing awesome work spreading the Good News in East Asia. Alec who is doing great at the Air Force Academy, and going to be president some day. Here we all are, fresh back from our time away!
Beulah Beach, where I spent so many happy weeks as a child and teen. So much spiritual growth from here, and so many friendships developed.
Before I went back to America, people asked me what I was most looking forward to... not the real answer (my amazing family and friends) but materialistic thing. And it was food. Bacon. Cheese. Berries. Food cooked on a grill. And oh, did I ever get a ton of berries and grilled picnic food and other American goodness! I also got a little bit of Asian mixed in, as we had some picnics with Chinese families, and we went out to Chinese and Japanese restaurants on occasion... but it was fabulous having a break from Indo food and the Indo version of American food.
Every year that I remember, we went to Blossom for the Independence Day concert. This year was no different, and I took my favorite Blossom buddy, Cassundra. I love this girl so much, and love spending time with her. Whether bowling, or listening to music, cuddling in the fluffy blanket watching a movie, watching our pretty lame city parade, or just sitting and organizing my room.
Some of those I was most excited to see was my church family. And my last week in America was our 5 Day Clubs (VBS). It's been years since I've helped out (because of camp and Indonesia), but I was able to help out again. I can't think of a better way to spend my time then with the people I love making a Kingdom difference. Eight hours a day with some of the people, hanging out with kids and pre-teens, teaching them what it means to follow Jesus. Perfect.
We made up a flash mob dance to do with the pre-teens, and at one point, we run around taking fake selfies with everyone. And, being 21st century pre-teens they all took out their phones and took real selfies. Of course I wanted to be like those cool pre-teens, so I whipped out my phone for some of my own selfies!
I feel like Dorthy. There's no place like home. There's no place like home. These people have known me for 5, 10, 18, or 23 years. And they know me. Know me better than anyone. And they love me. I love them. And being back with them, for those four short weeks, I felt like I never left. Now, being back in Indonesia as I write this, it's weird to think that I was with them not to long ago. And it was perfect. Thanks guys, for taking time out of your crazy summers to spend time with me. It means the world to me. I love you all and miss you already.
