On January 6th when my squad flew off to Africa I stayed in London one more night and headed back to southern California on the 7th. My cousin Kyle got married this week and my Auntie Anne and I surprised my entire family by flying me home for the wedding. It was the hardest thing to keep secret for so long, but being able to show up unexpectedly was incredible. I got to surprise people numerous times, all of which ended in excessive hugs. Being able to shock everyone was amazing, being able to be back in California was beautiful, but being able to be a part of this life changing event in my cousins life was the biggest blessing I could have ever imagined.
Besides being able to attend the wedding and be with my family, one of the best things I received this week was some insight into re-entry. I am not going to claim that I know how things will be in May, but I will say that I am optimistic about the transition. Being home I was able to further affirm the fact that I know when I leave my WR family I will continue to be a part of a community that loves me, loves the Lord, and loves the world. Between my family and my friends I have been so encouraged these past 5 days to not only continue in the direction I feel the Lord is taking me, but also to know that I will always be supported in whatever I do.
Now since my knowledge of video editing is, well, none….I will have to postpone posting the surprising everyone videos…but here are some pictures from the wedding:
My twin sister and I Before the rehearsal lunch
My parents with the newlyweds…Kaitlyn and Kyle
My Family
My sister Melissa and cousin Kristen in the reception photobooth
My Dad and I
It was a wonderful and extremely fast 5 days back home and I cannot thank my Auntie Anne and Uncle Bob enough for making this happen. I feel so incredibly blessed by my family and cannot express how much it means to me to have been a part of this. Now it is back to Africa tomorrow and I am excited to return to my squad.
