Well, our crazy little adventure ended a few days ago. I knew the month would go fast but it really breezed by! We got to end our trip together at the beach (our favorite!) We traveled back to an island off Thailand called Phuket. It’s actually a large island with numerous different beaches. Our activities included mopeds around the island to the different beaches, a day tour to the Phi Phi islands, getting our nice Christmas tans and lots of chillaxin. It was a fantastic way to end our time together and it was a bittersweet goodbye of course!
Eric, Jon and me on our sweet hogs
…ok, we will
The traveling trio
snorkeling in the phi phi islands
Last day together!! awww…
Pretty much we had a blast and I am so thankful for these guys to buddy up with me and travel a bit before we all parted ways. Jon is home (miss you, buddy!) and Eric has continued on through Thailand (eat more pad thai for me!!)
So in fact, the title of this email is deceptive because while it was the end of Jon, Eric and Stacy’s adventures, it certainly wasn’t the end of mine! The day we parted ways I headed down to Singapore for two very lonely days. If you know me at all you know I hate being alone and especially traveling alone because I love sharing experiences with people. But in fact I survived. I just walked around Orchard Street for a while which reminded me exactly of Michigan Ave. in Chicago (all lit up for Christmas too!) And I decided to go to church also. It has been a little over four months since I’ve stepped into an actual church building. For the last part of our trip, we have been in countries that have been closed to the gospel so the church is either underground or non existant. So Sunday morning, I jumped online and googled churches in Singapore and picked the first one that had an address and a map online. All by my lonesome I found my way there. And let me tell you, walking into that church was like a breath of fresh air. I have not felt as refreshed spiritually as I did that day in a long time. And even though I was surrounded by hundreds of people I didn’t know, I still felt like I was home. Even before the service started I looked over at a man praying over another man and I just started crying. It was so beautiful to me. THIS is what the body of Christ is for. And it was just awesome for me to be a part of God’s family in Singapore for a short while.
Just me and my crazy looking hair in Singapaore…all alone.
Two days ago I boarded a plane for Paupa New Guinea and yesterday I was finally reunited with my parents after one year! Thanks for all who were praying for my mom’s health, she arrived with no problems at all!! Praise the Lord! It was a sweet reunion and so surreal that after all my planning, praying and traveling I finally got to meet up with them in PNG.
This morning my sister’s husband surprised us at the MAF hanger and flew us all the way to Ukarumpa. For those who don’t know, my sister and her husband are missionaries with Summer Insitute of Linguistics (SIL). They have been here for 2 and a half years and had a baby girl this past May. So needless to say I was ecstatic to reunite with them as well. But the flight was incredible. It was in just one of those teeny tiny planes and I got to wear a headset. I looked good. As we flew over Ukarumpa I was filled with joy at being able to visit my sis and see where they have been missionaries these past years. I got to hold my niece, Alyssa for the first time. And it has been such a great reunion with my family. Adam, Jill, Ryan, Hannah and Sophie..wish you could be here too but we are thinking of you.
moms, pops and me getting ready to board the plane to Ukarumpa
niner niner good buddy…
Ukarumpa, the missions base where my sister lives.
***Will update on my Christmas time, but until then I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas filled with the Lord and a great New Year! Party on!***
