Grateful

Do you know the feeling when you know God did something especially for you? This year for my birthday God gave me two very special gifts. The first gift is gratefulness! The family that I stayed with in Indonesia for a year called me at 5:30am to wish me a happy birthday (7pm Indonesia time). It has been 3 years since I came back and every year they always remember to call me on my birthday.

One of the most special things about Indonesians is that they are extremely relational. It doesn't matter that you've been gone for 3 years or even 5+ years; once you are in their life, you are part of their life. Here is another family very special to me. The first time I met them I instantly saw Jesus in them! I am grateful for the Campodonicos and am so honored to be a part of their life.

Although I can go on forever about people God placed in my life and how grateful I am for them, I would like to take the time to ramble about one more person: Jason!

I am so grateful for Jason in my life and frequently thank God for him. Jason is joyful, trusting, honest, challenging, and loving. He has grown in patience, humility, and gentleness through our relationship and I am amazed at how specifically God chose Jason for me. Jason appreciates my craziness and silliness and challenges me when I'm easily impatient especially when I'm hot or hungry or frustrated. He writes letters for me because he knows I like them and pursues me when I close myself off.

So the point of this is not to brag about how great Jason is or how great of friends I have. But to brag about how good God is. He knows us exactly and specifically. One of my favorite verses Psalm 37:14 "Delight yourself in the Lord; and He will give you the desires of your heart." I never thought I would be anywhere close to where I am today, but it is really by God's grace that I am alive, following Jesus, and sharing the joys and sorrow of life with family & friends. It is such a privilege and honor to be in a relationship with God. Friends, where are you in your life and how is your relationship with God? Do you know that God loves you, cherishes you, and wants to fulfill your deepest hopes and dreams? :-)

Closer to home

If you'd ask me whether or not I would ever get a tattoo, I would probably say no for two reasons. First, I am really a wimp, I have the lowest pain tolerance known to man (my close friends would agree to this). Second and more importantly, I wouldn't be able to decide what I would put as a tattoo. Thus, I had the same dilemma when deciding on a title for this blog. Interestingly though, the phrase "closer to home" came to mind and stuck for the rest of the day.

The more I thought about the phrase, the more I realized how much I am living it. Technically, the day I was born also marked the day I am closer to my death, which would finally bring me home. "Home" is very important to me. Although I was born in the United States, I spent a large chunk of my life growing up in Indonesia and moving from one place to another. Home was not a specific location, building, nor culture. Home was where my family was. Nevertheless as I grew up I always longed to have my own home. A home where I could decorate as I desired, invited friends and family freely, and rested from the busyness of the world. Even though I am still excited for a physical home, I have realized how much more I long for my real home, the home where I get to go home to God, heaven! Friends, don't you long for a home where there will be no more tears, death, mourning, crying, or pain (Rev 21)? A home where justice is upheld, the earth is renewed, and joy is abundant? I know I do!


As this season marks a new season in my life (marriage next year, working as a nurse, learning to love more like Christ), I'm excited to share with you the joys and sorrows of my adventure as I journey closer to home (hahahaha this sounds so dramatic!). Whether it's posting silly thoughts, dramatic epiphanies, or even just making sure that I practice my English (I'm technically a FOB), I hope that you are encouraged and leave this blog affirmed, challenged, and loved! 


Below are some favorite pictures :-)

At the peak of Mt. Arjuno, East Java, Indonesia 

Sunset at the UCSB lagoon, Santa Barbara (well I guess technically it's Isla Vista)

View of mountain (I don't remember which one it was, there's so many!) in Central Java, Indonesia