Coming to an End

Well, it is Saturday, May 31st and my time in Jordan is unfortunately coming quickly to an end. In just 3 short days I will be on a plane back to Cali. My heart is now in the position that it has come to hate...torn between two groups of people that I love. Even as I write and think about this my eyes are brimming with tears. One side of me can't wait to get home and see all of my family and friends that I have so dearly missed but then there is the other part of me that dreads leaving my family here in Jordan. I can't even being to describe to you all back home how great these people are....especially when you look at all that they are enduring and sacrificing because of their love for Christ. I feel so genuinely blessed to have lived amongst and become a part of this awesome family. I will strongly miss Jay's constant teasing me and the way he is able to bring the best out of people and how he brings laughter to the household....actually pretty much anywhere and everywhere he goes. I will also miss the awesome friendship that I was able to establish with Kim. Her wise counsel and thoughts have grown me so much...in the way that I view things and especially in the little (or not so little) areas that my heart is still feeling hurt. I have had many failed attempts at trying to get them to come back and work at the church. It seems that God has them here for a reason...but who knows...maybe someday :) Of course there is no amount of telling how much I will miss the boys and the way they bring a smile to my face and joy to my heart. It makes me very sad that I won't be able to watch Aiden grow to be the amazing boy that I know he will be. I won't have anyone to climb on me or to sing me twinkle twinkle little stars with many of the words missing or made up, hehe. It is my prayer that these boys will grow to be like their daddy...strong in faith and who they are in Christ and of course like their mother as well...kind and compassionate to all.
My experiences here have been more amazing than I could ever have hoped for. Never did I think I would walk where Israelites have walked or see places where Jesus, my Savior, has been. It makes my soul soar to think about it all and to look back at all of the fun times shared with them. I don't want to make this too sad because I have no doubt that I will be with them again but I just wanted to try and express how much this family means to me and how much I will miss them.

On the other side of things; I am very excited to get back to the other people that are so dear to me. I have missed my family and friends greatly and cannot wait to get back into all of their lives this Summer. I plan to do many lunch dates and beach days with everyone....and hopefully some pool parties thrown in there if my daddy would be so obliged to do some of his amazing grilling :) Unfortunately the catching up with my brother will have to be put off a little while longer since God has provided him the awesome opportunity to go to Florida this Summer...but there is no doubting that it will happen.

In August I never thought my travels would begin and now that they are over it is hard to believe that I actually experienced all that I did. No amount of words could ever be enough to express my gratitude towards my daddy for setting everything up...and of course for all of those that supported and prayed for me through this whole thing as well. So here is just a big "thank you" to you all. You have helped change my life and been part of God's plan to transform my heart to truly seek after His will and to find His never-ending love and protection.