After six months of full-time ministry in Manila, I really needed a break! Which is why it
was perfect timing that my good friend Brandon got married in mid-October…
allowing me the opportunity to see him get married and to get a three-week
vacation at the same time!
To be concise, my trip home was GREAT! It was exactly what I
needed. It was the perfect amount of time, at the perfect moment in time, and
was everything I had hoped it would be… and more!!
I flew home on October 16th around 10pm, and
because of the time change, I arrived on October 16th around 8pm.
(Talk about saving time!) My mom and sister picked me up from the airport along
with a sack dinner of the number one thing I miss here in Manila…. A stacked
turkey sandwich! Turkey, avocado, tomato, onion, and lettuce. Perfect!
We arrived at the house around 11pm and I got to work on unpacking and
repacking, this time for cooler weather. Between the packing and the visiting,
I got to bed at 2am. I then woke up at 4am to make it to my next flight to
Tennessee.
and Amber, who I actually spent two months of the summer with in Manila. It was
absolutely wonderful to be with them
again! I grew really close to these two girls, and to be able to see them again
was a huge blessing. Laine took us to some of her favorite places, we went to
Target (I really miss that while in Manila too!), jogged in the early morning
in the freezing cold, stood in line for 45minutes outside waiting to eat
pancakes, her mom cooked an amazing homecooked dinner (steak!), and I was
finally able to bundle up in some warm clothes for Autumn weather! (Among other
fun things too!)
I met up with some other greatly missed friends…
Sarah, Mark, and Jackie from the world race. I hitched a ride with them and we
drove down to Georgia for Brandon’s wedding. From Friday night to Sunday
morning I was able to enjoy a short but appreciated time with my racer
teammates. Thankfully almost all of the Seven:Eleven team made it (We missed
you Haley!) and I was really happy that I was able to see Brandon and meet his
new wife…. It would be too weird/sad to have missed out on that big day! Before
leaving, we were even able to squeeze in a early Sunday morning Seven:Eleven breakfast
before we all parted ways again. It was SO good to see you guys!
Sunday
afternoon I headed back up to Nashville, getting a ride with Sarah and Mark
again. It was sad of course to say goodbye after such a short visit, but for
even one hour with them I am always greatful… they are my brothers and sisters
and I love them to death!!
I spent
another 30 or so hours in Nashville before I headed back home. Laine’s parents
took us out to eat downtown and showed us some of the touristy sights as well.
It was so much fun and I am SO glad I was able to see them.
My time
in Nashville and Georgia was a whirlwind, but it was so much fun and I am really
glad I was able to go.
evening I headed back to California….
