I can't believe I am on a plane right now headed back to Ohio. We just left Miami about 30 minutes ago (and about an hour and a half late I might add). We again, woke up before the sun. Our ride to the airport had to take us before he started work for the day so we were there about 4 hours before we needed to be. We played lots of cards. Once we got to Miami we had a 4 hour layover, so again we played lots of cards. And more cards - since like I said, we left late! But that's OK because the group was really fun and I wasn't quite ready to be back to normal life yet.
This trip has been amazing, just like I knew it would be. I feel so blessed to have been given the opportunity again - and so soon. I know its only a matter of time before I am back. The next trip I want to go to the House of Blessings. It's actually the orphanage where Woody was raised. How amazing that Woody was an orphan and now he is making a living for himself and serving the Lord. The orphanage is in Callabasse where Woody, Julio, and Nana are from up on the mountain. Good thing it is close enough that we could still go to Prosper for a day or two to visit! I just love that village so much.
Last night we slept on the roof of the Vet Training Center. The stars are just about a million times more beautiful and a million times more bright than at home. It's pretty much impossible to NOT see a shooting star. I'm not even sure how many I actually saw, I just stopped counting after awhile. Bryce had a cell phone and people from home were sending him updates on the Sugar Bowl. Go Bucks! I'm so happy they won and finally beat an SEC team! Obviously it was nice knowing the score but if I hadn't known until I got home - that would have been OK too.
This time around I thought about home a lot more (versus last time when I didn't think about home at all) because we felt more connected. It was easier for people to call home, which was a good thing don't get me wrong. There is nothing wrong with calling your loved ones back home. But it did keep giving me reasons to think about home. What's everybody doing for new years? What's everybody doing for the game? And so on and so on. It was a little bit harder for me to stay in the moment every single moment, but again not a bad thing. Just different than the first time.
I hope I come home with a better attitude and I continue to grow in my relationship with the Lord. I hope one day its as easy for me as it seems to be fore everyone else. It's a daily battle - maybe it always will be. One thing is for certain though - I know the Lord loves me and I love him and I know I want to be in Heaven with him when its all said and done.
Do you know you are one of the most awesome women I know? I love you so much! Thank you for sharing your journal. Not only did this trip speak to your heart but by sharing it wakes up others hearts too, including mine. I am so thankful to our Lord and Savior for providing this opportunity to you. I know through this experience you will do wonderful things. They may not be what you think but they will be life altering. One day Steph I hope to be like you :)
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Awwww, thank you Aunt Christie!!! And you are like me... or I guess I should say I'm like you! haha Love you :)
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