arrived at the LA airport :-)
Hey guys. I just wanted to let my faithful prayer warriors know that I have finished the first leg of my trip from Atlanta to LA. I am soo excited this time around that I did not miss my flight like last time so I do not have to spend the night in this airport… being here brought back the memory of having to spend 1 1/2 nights in this airport a year ago and memorizing how to say please watch your luggage in 10 different languages 🙂
So how was the goodbye process for me.. well.. I had a great day because my fam and I went out to Bugaboo steakhouse (the reason: The big chocholate chip cookie desert they have there) and I held my little man alex the whole time. I mean He IS the cutest baby in the world. I was doing well until we had to say goodbye at the airport. I am going to be honest. I have not been really excited about going back to nepal. I just realized what an incredible treasure I have in my family. So I tried real HARD not to cry at the airport ( it was a much smaller scene then last year when I left with the 20 something people at the chattanoga airport) … but when I had to kiss my little budro alex on the head and know that Iw ould not see him again for a year, and then dance the last dance with my dad.. i had to cry. But don’t worry fam… I know how to sooth myself well.. I cried in security line (i bet you guys laughed at me when I knocked over the security pole.. typical jenn behavior huh!) but then right by my gate was a starbucks.. I got a tall pumpkin spice latte and popped in Beth Moore on my I-pod and had me some church. God quickly healed my heart and reminded me of his goodness. How could I be sad when He gave me the gift of spending 3 1/2 weeks of heaven on earth with my family? God is soo good to me. As I was listening to Beth Moore and my praise music on the plane.. I almost had to jump up and shout hallelujah.. so just becuase I was crying fam.. don’t worry about me… nothing a little time with JEsus and pumpkin spice could not help.. at least till’ tommorow when I miss changing alex’s poopy dipaers and tickling his armpits.
Guys– I had the taste of heaven with my 3 1/2 weeks at home. I cannot imagien what our heavenly reunion with Jesus will be like someday if He spoils us like my family did on my earthly reuinon. I have never treasured life so much.. or my family so much. You guys are incredible. I love that we can laugh together, eat together, praise Jesus together. I have soo many highlights from my trip. God truly loved on me each minute from arriving at the church, to a dinner date with my dad at the brazilian steakhouse (I ate more meat that night then I had in a year), to shopping with my mom, to just sitting with my family hanging out, to the hottub on my parents backporch.. to outfishing my mom and dad twice on our fishing boat (my dad was great and took off work to take me fishing again… thanks dad.. sorry I ragged you about your lack of fish … God paid me back when I didn’t get any) .. to playing WE tennis, to hanging out with my autns who i love very much, to getting to see friends.. it was an amazing time.. one I will never forget, will always treasure. Thanks fam for making me feel like a princess of the KING! I want to live life more like I did these past 3 weeks.. I treasured every moment on puprose because I knew time was short.. we should do that huh. I enjoyed the simpilest things.. like walking barefoot in the grass and not thinking a leeech would bite my feet, or having a hot shower (or that day that my mom “drew” me a bubble bath in the jacuzzi bathtub. I did not have much time for “quiet times with the Lord.. but :I have never felt him more near… I realize that sometimes we put God’s presence in a box and act as if He is only there with us in our 30 minutes with him in the morning. God walked with me, talked with me.. was joyful with me as I enjoyed the gift He had given me!
ok.. i am gong to end this now because I think they are about to start boarding. trying to get excited about this really long flight.. glory
By the way– thanks to all who came to hear me speak .. (martha miles.. wow.. what a traveler.. that made me feel soo special) hung out with me, prayed for me..
I want to apologize if I did not get to spend time wtih you…. or if I did and it was only a short time. I hope that you will forgive me if I have hurt anyone’s feelings. If you only knew how overwhelming it was to figure out to spend my 3 1/2 weeks. and God clearly told me to spend it with my family as my number one priority– so if I hurt your feelings.. please forgive me. I love all of you soo much and am so thankful for your support
michelle– kiss alex for me..
Good Morning! I came and looked as soon as I got up to get ready for church to see if you had been able to write us. I am so thankful that your trip so far has gone well. You just don't know how hard it was to leave you at the Atlanta airport yesterday. We were so blessed by God to have you home for the time that we did but we didn't won't it to end of course. We love you so much and missed you as soon as we said goodbye to you. Yes I will have to admit we did laugh at you when you got in the special needs line and then ran into the pole with your suitcase. I just can't take you,Daddy,& Michelle anywhere can I. Alex misses his Aunt Jenn and so do we. We are praying for a safe trip for you. We are looking forward to hearing from you again. We love you very very very much.
Jenn,
I was thrilled to see that you had posted and that the first leg of your trip had gone well. I have been praying for you so much the past few days. I can’t imagine how hard it must have been to say goodbye to your wonderful family and your new nephew Alex after three glorious weeks of heaven with them.
God so graciously gave you the desire of your heart to be home when your nephew was born and to reunite with your beloved family. You don’t need to apologize for rejoicing in God’s gift and for enjoying every second you had at home with them. God blessed you with an “above and beyond all you could ask or think” gift, and you received the gift with joy and cherished it with thanksgiving just as you were supposed to do. As I told you before you came home, I didn’t expect to see you. I wanted you to spend every moment you had with your loved ones.
And now as your return to Nepal, I pray you have a renewed vision of how much God wants to bring those precious people into His family. He wants them to enjoy a reunion with Jesus and all of us when we get to heaven. I’m fervently praying for you.
Love you bunches,
Sandra
Hey girl! It’s been so fun keeping up with your blog and reading what a good time you had! i’m so glad it was good! i have to be honest – i am jealous that in Washington state i am still 2500 miles from you when you were in Tenn because i would have loved to see you even if just for a minute! (i know it goes trying to figure out how to spend your time when you come home!) i do miss you friend. and i love you. can’t wait til we can have a coffee date someday!
GLORY! GLORY! GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME and ALL THE TIME GOD IS GOOD! We praise God for you,your work in Nepal and the time spent listening to you tell about God and how He is blessing you — in Nepal and with such a wonderful family here in Tn. We thank God for you and how you inspire us to be what God wants us to be. When you get settled and things slow down don’t forget the online bible study. We are blessed to share just a little of your walk with God. Praying God’s protection and blessings on you. To God be all the Glory! Martha Miles { sending box soon}
jenn- you and i missed each other at the chatt. airport by a day! I’m praying for your flight back to nepal! talk to you soon!