Worlds Colliding Wedding Style

Worlds collided when I made it to Hampton, Georgia to see my good friend Billy who I met in Indonesia. He was taking language school in Bandung along with his friend Kyle when I met them in August and it was such a blessing to have them as friends this past year. Billy was an excellent host and I really enjoyed the city of Atlanta. I think it would be safe to say that in the top five priorities in Billy's life, Chick-fil-a and all that it encompasses has landed a spot somewhere in there. For eight months I was educated on the menu, history and other important facts of Chick-fil-a...it started in Atlanta, there are several different restaurants that are part of the company including a pizza restaurant, the Dwarf House, and Truett's. I was quite excited to finally get to try this thing that I had heard so much about. We went to Truett's the first night I was there and I thoroughly enjoyed my Spicy Chicken Sandwich. I was also thankful that the "Chick-fil-a expert" was with me, because there were far too many choices on that menu for me to make a decision on my own!
This whole road trip idea started when I decided that I wanted to honor my dear friend Bryn, the music teacher from BAIS, by going to his wedding on the 18th of June. This last year was a huge year of firsts for him including flying, teaching, riding a motorbike and getting engaged:) His wife, Courtney, will be teaching 3rd Grade next year at BAIS. They have a pretty spectacular story, and I am so excited for them and their next adventure. They got married in Cookeville, Tennessee, so Billy and I drove up there through some of the most beautiful country I've ever seen. So, worlds collided once again when I got to see Bryn in his home state marry a dear sister in Christ who'll be experiencing her first year of teaching at BAIS in the fall. One of the coolest parts of the wedding was the Indonesian elements that they included. The bridesmaids, groomsmen, and Bryn wore Batik, which is the traditional style fabric used to make formal clothing. When Courtney walked down the aisle in her traditional while wedding dress, it was symbolic of her not only committing her life to love and serve alongside Bryn, but it was also symbolic of her committment to take that step of faith and go where God has called her...Indonesia. It was not only a wedding, but also a commissioning for them as they head to Indonesia. It was a privilege to get to sing a song in Indonesian for the commissioning portion of their wedding.
It's an incredible thing to see how God brings people into your life for a season and how brothers and sisters in Christ can become instant friends. I am truly blessed.

Sister Time in Texas and Some Culture Shock

The day began with one of my favorite things...Continental Breakfast! The coffee was less than mediocre, so I made a quick stop at Starbucks before getting on the road. I am using my parents GPS thing, which is the only reason that I have made it to any of the destinations. One of the drawbacks is that it chooses the route for you and it may not always be the shortest. It took me through some backroads to Tyler, which made it farther, but really pretty and very country:) I got to spend the evening with my sister Emily, who, since the last time I saw her a year ago, has graduated college, gotten a job, an apartment, a boyfriend and a ring on her left hand. Needless to say, it kind of felt like we were meeting each other for the first time. It was a lovely time of delicious food and lots of catching up. I am so proud of her and can't wait to be a part of her wedding in 16 days.
Some culture shock moments I have experienced include the size of American portions and important consumer items that I was not aware of. Emily took me to this amazing custard place in Tyler where we got enough ice cream to feed four people. Don't get me wrong, it was amazing...and I ate the whole thing! I went into a Walmart this morning and couldn't help but snap a picture of one of the items listed on one of the signs. So funny.
After all that ranting and raving about the stupid traffic in Indonesia, it was kind of humorous, but mostly annoying to be moving about four miles an hour on Interstate 20 in Louisiana for about an hour today. Ridiculous.
I did end up making it to Monroe, Louisiana where I stopped at the Biedenharn Museum. Joe Biedenharn was the guy who came up with the idea to put Coca Cola in glass bottles. His daughter Emy-Lou had a pretty impressive collection of Bibles and traveled around Europe for 11 years while she was an opera singer. I caught the very last tour of the day with a cute little old lady. It was really beautiful.
My trip ended up in Jackson, Mississippi...yep the same one from the Johnny Cash song. Mississippi is a great state. Very friendly. Driving across the Mississippi River was one of the highlights yesterday. I also couldn't help but think about my fifth graders as I drove through Vicksburg, MS. We had a good time during our Civil War Unit this year and Vicksburg was where a major Union Victory occurred.
Today I am headed to Hampton, Georgia to see my good friend Billy. I am anxiously anticipating all of the Chick-fil-a we will be eating. Billy is a Chick-fil-a connosieur and I am confident that he will introduce me to all things southern.

Let the Road Trippage Blogging Begin!

I must admit, this road trip is coming at a very good time. There's a lot going on here. A lot of good things that I couldn't be happier about. But, those amazing things combined with the craziness of reentering this country after shutting down the Indonesia chaper makes for a very large plate of transition that I certainly can't handle on my own. So, my prayer is that the next 17 days include some good food, good friends, words of Truth, and wisdom and clarity about what the next six months are going to look like.


Today was a super blessing. My mom and I drove from Flagstaff to Albuquerque together. The plan was to rent a car in Albuquerque since that's where the wedding is and where my road trip will end up in July. It was so cool to get to catch up with my mom and hear about how God's been using her.

Once in Albuquerque, I got to meet Kevin, my sister's fiance. He is in the Air Force and gave us a tour of the base which included getting to go into one of the training planes. It was pretty awesome, and I am happy to report that I completely approve:)


Once we picked up the car at the rental place, I was off to Amarillo. It's so weird to drive here. It didn't take too long to get used to driving on the correct side of the road. Every time there is a slow person in the left hand lane, it takes everything in me not to start honking at them...that doesn't really fly here in America. I also don't quite know how to handle all the open space...I miss the warungs, Tambalbans and bensin sellers. I do, however, LOVE that there's no traffic or potholes! I made it safely to Amarillo and got to see some cool things along the way, including these graffittied cars that are buried in the ground...crazy.

R.A.F.T.- ing

Well, there's nothing like a graduation to make you realize that the end really is near.

Wednesday afternoon was the graduation ceremony of the Class of 2011, oh how I love them! During my first year here when I taught this class P.E., even though they kind of drove me crazy, I thought it would be pretty awesome if I were able to stay long enough to see them graduate...and here I am watching them graduate and getting ready to say goodbye to this place along with them...On June 11th, I board a plane with a one-way ticket back to America.

I've been refusing to count down the days, but when it's down to single digits, there's just no denying it. The truth is, I don't know how to leave here, I don't know how to tell this place goodbye. I've been trying to be intentional with people and tackle the art of farewell in small bites, but it still feels like an overwhelming task.

At the very same time, I am filled with anticipation as I think about what the next year holds. Weddings, reunions, grocery stores with an abundance of cereal options, new friends, new adventures. Oh man, how does one manage all these emotions and looming changes?!

The answer: By His grace alone and with a little help from...a lovely model that I learned at our Pre-Field Orientation.

Join me as I build my RAFT...

R (reconcile)--As one who struggles with pride and justification, this is not something that I am very great at. Fortunately, since I first arrived I've been learning the beauty of speaking and receiving the truth in love and keeping short accounts with others in this community. Along the way, I've said to much, not said enough, offended, insulted and miscommunicated. One group that I will need to make sure to reconcile with are my beloved 5th graders. It's been a hard year and, especially in this last quarter, each Bible Class has felt like an intervention. In reconciling with them I want to make sure that they leave my class knowing that underneath all the lectures, mean teacher voice moments and minutes taken away from free time was a deep love and desire to see them become the young men and women God has created them to be.

While in the process of reconciliation, I realized there are some aspects of Indonesia that need reconciliation...

1. The Rain--I have a deep disdain for the rain in this country. It ruins my plans, my shoes, my hair and my ability to safely drive my motorbike. The other night, though, I went on a run and within 5 minutes it started to pour. There was nothing left to do but embrace it. I finished my run and then just stood in the rain soaking it in. In that moment, I do believe that rain and I reconciled.

2. Traffic--The closer I get to the end, the greater my hatred grows for the traffic in this town. In the last month, I have found myself literally screaming aloud at the ridiculousness of driving habits. On a motorbike, it's not easy to be subtle in that. I am not sure what it's going to look like to reconcile with traffic, perhaps I will have to pray for those that make me crazy.

Lord, thank you for the ultimate demonstration of reconciliation through the death of your Son. I ask that you'd grant me the humility, grace and words to reconcile with those that I've wronged. Help me to spend the last few days loving fiercely on the people in this country.

A (affirm)--Indonesia, God has used you to break, pound and grind me down to one who fears her King, listens for His voice and is able to recognize and participate in His grace. You've given me eyes to see the beauty in differences and opportunities that have stretched me farther than I thought I was capable of. Thank you for Sambal, sate kambing, rambutan, and kopi susu. Thank you for motorbikes, outlet stores and cream baths. Thank you for KARAOKE, endless amounts of restaurants, and random adventures. You've frustrated me and made me laugh, burdened me and made me cry. There will always be a place in my heart for Indonesia.

F (farewell)--This is my least favorite part of this RAFTing thing, because it usually includes tears. I always think of that moment at the airport after I've said goodbye to my family, but I can still see them as I wait in line for security. Me turning around and waving every 30 seconds looking like a mess as I take my shoes off or pull my laptop out of the case. Ugh, I hate that.

But alas, it must happen. For me, I think my final farewell to Indonesia will be as I take off in the plane looking down through tear-filled eyes at the red-orange tiled rooves and palm trees...exactly how our first hello went.

T (Think Destination)--This stage results in a combination of excitement, sadness, and anxiety. I am so excited to get to spend some solid time in Flagstaff, one of my most favorite places in the world, with some of the most important people in my life. I can't wait to reconnect with and love on people. I am also super excited to participate in the celebration of both my sisters getting married, but I struggle to fully grasp all the changes I will face in the next three months. On top of that, I can't help but be anxious for what it's going to mean for me to be an adult in America. Last summer was hard enough when I learned that I could just stick my checks in the ATM to make a deposit...that was CrAzY! Oh man, do they even use checks anymore in America?! I have a feeling I am going to feel like an alien on a new planet for a while, but it's even more difficult when you look like someone who should know how the system works!! Que sera sera. I am sure it will result in some hilariously blog-worthy stories.

But, America is not the only destination I am thinking of these days...

In January I will be participating in a six month internship with Word Made Flesh in Bangkok, Thailand with the couple that I met back in January. It's so neat to see how this opportunity is a beautiful combination of all the things that God has put on my heart in the last year and a half. The internship will include ministering to prostitutes in the bars of the Red Light District as well as street kids and their families. Tim and Amy are hoping to create a small resource/learning center to help minister to the needs of those families which is where my education background comes in a bit. There are a lot of details that I am still unsure about including living situation and exact cost, but I am definitely "thinking destination" as I look forward to what He has in store for this next season.

Wow, the RAFT is built and there's one week until I board that plane. Once again, relying on my own strength will result in utter failure, so I turn to Psalm 55:22 "Give your burdens to the LORD, and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall."

Thank you for joining me on this Indonesian teaching adventure. It was by your prayers that the last four years have been so full of His goodness, power and provision. I am forever grateful.