A Whirlwind Tour

I've finally landed after a whirlwind tour of the states. What a time I had! the timing for things was so perfect, and was once again, a great reminder how everything- right down to the smallest detail- is in God's hands.

I was able to get back to the states in enough time to stand up in my friend, Elizabeth's wedding.

After, I had a few extra days with nowhere to go- and Elizabeth needed a copilot on a cross-country road trip from Chicago to LA.

I missed being able to fly standby back to Chicago, but was able (with the help of a friend) to catch a plane that day at a decent price, and made it to FT. Wayne in time to stand up in another college friend, Angie's, wedding.

I was able to see all of the people at my internship site, and got in just as the pastor was returning from his annual airforce tour.

Headed from there to the UP where I spent almost a week with my mother's side of the family and was in town for both my aunt's and my grandmother's birthdays. My cousins were in town too that weekend from DC because one of their cousins got married that weekend as well. I got to meet my cousin Ingrid's new husband, John, for the first time (who, by the way, is a professional chef and made us a meal entirely on a grill, salad and everything- amazing!!!)

Next stop was Spokane/Coeur d'Alene. My cousin Sarah's husband is currently deployed, so I was lucky enough to have her as a shopping companion as I scurried around trying to buy everything I needed for the next year or possibly longer that I can't buy here in Japan (shoes, pants, shampoo, deoderant, floride toothpaste...)

My brother Seth is starting at the U of I this fall, and though he moved down to Moscow, he came back for part of the week and no longer had his job obligations since he was in transition and we had so much more time to spend together.

Both my parents were able to take a day off so we could have more time together. We had some beautiful weather that allowed for a lot of good play time as well!

I was really blessed by the time I had to share with three congregations as well- my home church, my internship church, and the church my grandpa served at upon returning from serving on the mission field in Tanzania until the time of his retirement 12 years later. Many more people signed on to support me in prayer and financially- and I was especially surprised and blessed to hear that my grandparent's church has been and will continue to pray for me, by name, in all of their services every week! If there is one thing I have learned in the last 5 months, it is that the prayers of God's people are powerful, effective, and builds the church as a body and as individuals. During these visits, I began to understand more fully the benefit for churches as well as the missionaries when we can meet together and share about all that God is doing in our various locations. I just can't say enough how encouraged I was by it all, and I am so thankful I had the opportunity to do so.

Hmmm.... so much more I want to write, but that's all for now because I am feeling so sleepy.

During my tour through the states, I touched ground in the following states:
1. Idaho
2. Washington
3. California
4. Nevada
5. Arizonia
6. Colorado
7. Iowa
8. Illinois
9. Wisconsin
10. Indiana
11. Michigan
12. Nebraska

All in less than a month! It was wonderful, after being away for so long, to be able to see so much of the country, but I am really glad to not be living out of a suitcase anymore! : ) But I think I may still be trying to recover while gearing up for all of the new things starting this week! Thanks so much for keeping me in your prayers!