Hello, Hello Everyone! I’m back in the States and woah….life has been busy! Between wedding fun, nannying, job hunting, taking up a new hobby and starting a new business on the side (see my post after this), there hasn’t been time to do a lot else. However, I have the blessing of spending a few days in colorful Colorado (according to the state sign) and writing to you from here!
In the Summer of ’07, I lived in Estes Park, Colorado where I worked as a day camp counselor and participated in a Christian Leadership Training program led by my pastor from Mizzou. It was an incredible three months! When I heard the staff from The Rock (my church at Mizzou) was holding their annual staff retreat in Estes Park this summer, I asked to tag along. The trip has already been a blast and it has been fun to relive part of my Summer ’07 too.
I’m looking forward to spending the next few days here in Colorado, simply to be with God and step away from the busyness of life. Many have asked, “How was Africa?” “How has it been being back?” “Do you hope to return to Burkina?” All of which are great questions that I have struggled to respond to. Life readjusting back to the States has been going really well, actually. Whenever you leave one place and transition to life in another, there are always going to be things that are difficult to deal with, especially saying goodbye to friends. There isn’t a day that goes by where I don’t think about my students, the teachers, Lynn, and the other missionaries in Burkina, but I have really enjoyed getting to spend time with family and friends that I haven’t seen in a while.
While I would LOVE to go back some day, even if only to visit, I’ve been praying a lot and feel a heavy burden to work in the inner city of St. Louis. I’m continuing to pray and seek what it is God wants me to do and where it is He wants me to be. Because I’ve seen His faithfulness in my life and how things have worked in His perfect timing, I’m trusting that He will show me His plans for my next step, when He sees best fit. It’s exciting to know that God has really amazing things in store for my life and I simply get to wait on Him to show me.
Because I love to take LOTS of pictures, here’s a glimpse into what my reentry process has looked like so far…
My beautiful friend, Mazvita, on her wedding day.
The new Mr. and Mrs. Lewton
The ladies at Beth's rehearsal.
The new Mr. and Mrs. Gibson
I have loved spending time with my family again.
Birthday dinner with the family at my favorite Mexican restaurant
I have loved spending time with my cousins too!
My Mom got baptized! It was one of the best days of my short 23 years of life.
I have fallen in love with sewing and making cake pops. Crafting has become my new hobby, since being back.
My brother just finished his first year of college, so it has been great to spend time with him. We both have changed a lot.
