East Asia Reunion

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So the time has come for me to share a bit about my excursion to EA last week. I was there for nearly two weeks and the time there was wonderful.

Because I have been a few times, I didn't feel the need to 'see everything.' Often when you travel, you want to do everything, and its go go go. But this time, it was almost like going home. I went to a place that I know well, I'm familiar with, and I can wander around, get lost and not feel afraid about finding my way back. It was great to be back.

I spent several afternoons with friends from last summer. Its hard to express the emotion and feelings I had to see their faces again and hear their sweet voices. We have stayed in touch via email, but there is something words can't capture about seeing a face come alive that you prayed to see only again in heaven. It took my breath away and I thank God for the opportunity. Some of my best memories in my life to this day date back to one summer ago on that campus, and now I add the the reunion to my list of beautiful encounters that is hard to be topped. 

I stayed at the girls apartment--Courtney, Erin, Lyndsey and Amanda graciously opened their home and me and let me stay with them. It was sooo much fun to hang out, hear how they are doing, and get to know them a little bit better. We had lots of fun conversation, mindless Friends watching, and laughter in the apartment. I'm so thankful for them. 

D and I had a great time together, that goes without saying! Probably the best part of it all, was seeing him in his element. I hear about it all the time and see him on Skype, but to be there is totally different. I got to be a part of their staff meeting, prayer time, family dinner, etc. It was as if I was one of them. I loved experiencing what they experience so I will better understand him. I'm thankful they allowed me to tag along for a few weeks! Even though it wasn't the most real situation, because I didn't have much responsibility, or any really, it was great. It was great to not have to do something grand to see that I'm most happy when I feel at home. When life is 'normal' I thrive. Good moments.

Another really fun thing during the trip, happened on Saturday. D is one of the most thoughtful, intentional guys I know and has a wonderful memory. That translates into him being extremely sweet and treating me like a girl ought to be treated. Guys take note, he does well!! He told me early on in the week that Sat was our day and he had some things planned. We planned to leave right after lunch, which was ideal for me. Leaving early in the morning for me means cutting my time with the Lord short, so I'm thankful we left at about 1 or so. He told me to be at the girls apt.

About 1 came around and he is knocking on the door, waiting with 6 flowers. He told me that we had been dating for 6 months (possibly to the day, neither of us could remember haha) and we were going to celebrate!! He said he some things planned for the day.

We walked down stairs chatting about the day and I rounded the corner, thinking I was to walk to the bus, which is a ways away. He stopped me and pointed the driver in front of me! Good call! On the ride there, he pulled out a note from his backpack, that said "intro" and it was a card explaining what was going on. He had written a card for each month that we were dating, remembering some of the things that happened and how he was feeling!! We were headed downtown for the day/evening!

I won't bore you with all the details, although I think they are interesting, but here is what we did. We first hit up Starbucks. We sat together and talked for a while and then read. Its so nice to be able to do something together like that. It was refreshing and entertaining. My book is quite funny!! We then walked around and took a few pictures, I read a few cards, and then I had a moment. I found the SUBWAY, like the restaurant!  If you live in Asia, thats a big deal, and it was. It was opening in three ways! He then took me to ToysRUs in the mall, and wanted to get me a puzzle. Its like the way to my heart!! I found one (get this..) with two seals on it! If you know me, you know that seals/sea lions are my FAVORITE animal. So that was a win win. We were both getting pretty hungry so headed to the Intercontinental. They have a wonderful buffet that is pretty much all out. We stayed for a few hours :) Not JUST to eat, but to talk and hang out. To cap off the night, we walked around, shopped a little bit and that was our night! It was wonderful and very well planned :) 

The last thing that was noteworthy of my time in EA was when the Summer P arrived. There is so much I could write about this, but mostly just that it was sooo funny to see them arrive. They were shell shocked and taken back to say the least. The group is a bit unaware and free spirited so together, in a big group they REALLY stick out. But it was sorta fun to help them and made me feel like I knew something! 

I'm so glad I was able to go. It was a great trip and I of course love being in EA! Enjoy the pictures.