July 4 weekend this year was quiet and entirely restful, thanks to Uncle Erik’s hospitality at his country home in Pine Bush, NY. Â Dad, Mom, Brett and I made the 8 hour trek up Route I-95 to spend 3 days relaxing by the pool, catching up with Erik, Howard, and Geoffrey, who was in town from Thailand, and eating delicious meals.
Who would have thought that it would be 75 and breezy in JULY? Â But, it was. Â Thank goodness the pool was heated.
I enjoyed playing around with the lighting in the “English Garden,” too.
Since we “stayed in” from any major firework displays nearby, Brett and I created our own fun.
Uncle Erik and I also entertained our small crowd with a dramatic duet, singing our national anthem at the top of our lungs in operatic voices.
Fourth of July Menu was also wonderful: baby-back ribs, corn, and salad, followed by strawberry-almond buttermilk cake.
It was very nice to see family/close friends, and Geoffrey even contacted a friend that often visits Nairobi on business trips and told him I was going to be living there for a year…so, now, this friend has offered to take me out to dinner one night in Nairobi!
Then, on Sunday afternoon, it was off to Orientation in Pearl River, NY, where I met up with fellow “RVA” short-term missionaries and AIM staff for three days of administrative sessions, counseling meetings, prayer and encouragement, banking/insurance sessions, culture and worldview training, and a round-table discussion with former RVA dorm parents.
It was such a blessing to take time out of my week to bond with the people I will be spending the next year of my life with! Â These fellow Christians are humble, funny, servant-hearted, and endearing. Â I have come away with greater faith and excitement for all that God has in store for me, not just as an individual, but as a team-player alongside these other AIM missionaries.
From left to right: Jim Holt, Vic Carpenter, Charlotte Carpenter, Gale Holt, Amanda Scott, Cassie Luna, and me.
On one night, us “RVA” folks spent an hour going through “get-to-know-you” questions, which was so fun! Â I found out that I have some fellow Hand and Foot and Scrabble lovers, so we are in for some FUN.
Ironically, Jim and Gale Holt just so happened to know a family from CLC who is one of my monthly supporters, so that was fun to find out. Â The Holts already feel like surrogate parents to me, and Jim will be the “Chaplain” at RVA this year (so, basically my pastor). Â Amanda and Cassie will be elementary-ed teachers, and we’ve already decided to share Muffin Mondays together.
Now, I am back in G’burg…it is so good to be home. Â 3 more weeks of work, and then after that, two more weeks till I leave for AFRICA!