Well, I guess it’s time I say this, but…my Grand Adventure has come to a close. I am now home and so happy to be here.
Originally, I was going to keep blogging about the “grand adventure of life” here, but I’ve decided to start a new blog instead. I want to have THIS one as a keepsake from the nine months I spent an ocean away from home, but I want my new one to be…well…new :) Something fresh, ya know?
The Grand Adventure is officially closed.
If you’d like to keep following my life, thoughts, and Faith, comment on this post and I would be happy to give you the URL of my current blog.
Also, if you scroll to the bottom of this page and click “archive,” it will be much easier to see the past nine months of my blogging…rather than having to click “older” all the way back. :)
Keep pursuing Truth, my friends. Our Creator WANTS you to love Him.
-Ciao!
Home… It’s what made me, saved me, drove me crazy Drove me away than embraced me Forgave me for all of my shortcomings Welcome to my homecoming Yeah it’s been a long time coming Lot of fights, lot of scars, lot of bottles Lot of cars, lot of ups, lot of downs Made it back, lost my dog (I miss you, Gracie) And here I stand, a better woman! Thank you Lord, Thank you Lord…
I miss old friends that I once had Times ain’t changed but I’ll be glad when I … go home
And now… oh, oh, now … I want to come home It’s been so long since I’ve been away And please … don’t blame me ‘cause I’ve tried I’ll be comin’ home soon to your love … to stay Comin’ home to stay Comin’ home to your love, mama….
Well, friends, I have successfully depleted every last penny in my bank account (literally,) so it looks like it’s time to come home.
Home:
Where my bed is free, and I don’t have to look for a new room every night.
Where everyone knows how long I’ve been gone, where I live, the GPA I graduated with, who my last boyfriend was, and what my dreams for the future look like.
Where I get to eat food purchased by someone else (thanks Mom and Dad!)
Where I know my way around town like the back of my hand, and the only map I need is the one in my head that is a picture of every friend’s house I need to stop by.
Where I can put my clothes in a closet and ditch my well-worn suitcase.
Where I find my favourite cereal in the pantry and mom’s still-warm chocolate chip cookies on the counter
Where I don’t have to pay for my laundry.
Where I can look outside and see all my pals in the pool, waiting for me to bring them some fresh pumpkin or zucchini bread.
Where we pile all three kids and two dogs into a queen bed…and absolutely love it.
Where I can run around barefoot.
Where I don’t have to worry about who the last person was to “use this toilet or these sheets.”
Where I can shower without flip-flops.
Where I can ride horses for miles into the forest, get lost, and lose track of time with old friends.
Where I’ve known most of my buddies since we were six years old, hiding in the tires on the playground of the elementary school.
Where I don’t have to use a converter to charge my laptop.
Where I wake up to the smell of pine trees, sage brush, and the sound of my beloved bloodhound howling as she begs me to let her out of her kennel.
Where I get to hike Black Butte under a full moon, in the middle of the night…just because it sounds like fun.
Where I can talk to friends on the phone.
Where I run into people I’ve known for a decade and a half everywhere I go.
Where I don’t have to worry about what I’ll eat for breakfast.
Where I can drive my little blue Jetta down the highway, sun-roof and windows open, breeze rushing through my hair, and country music blastin’ on the radio.
…and most importantly:
Where I get to see the people I love most every single day.
Don’t get me wrong: this little escapade to Europe has been incredible–it was everything I dreamed it would be and more. But I suppose there’s a point in everyone’s life when it’s just time to go…HOME.
So Daddy, Jake, Jared, puppies, and friends…Here I come.
Well, friends, we set sail tomorrow morning aboard the Astarte. I cannot wait to feel the rush of wind against her sails and fall asleep to the heartbeat of the rocking waves. Sailing is one of my favourite things in the entire world, and it’s been way too long since I’ve been out on the ocean.
Goodbye for a while, crazy world. Time to read the Good Book and swim in waters that my Lover painted turquoise for me. Jesus, you are beautiful. Thank you for holding my heart and for the fresh flowers every morning and for the birds singing and for the sunshine and for the tree swing I sat in and journalled under the sun today. YOU are amazing.
I wish I could love more like You do.
See you in a while. Bon Voyage!
Most people never realize that the way we live displays in vivid color, for all the world to see, everything from what we believe in to what we worship and bow down to. You can share a message without ever opening your mouth.
Well, we have loved Athens so much. It’s a crazy city with way too many apartment buildings, grafitti everywhere, and thick pollution (although apparently they have worked really hard to fix that!), but it truly is wonderful. I think what makes it so special are the PEOPLE. We’ve spent countless hours with the locals, finding out about their lives and sharing a bit of ours with them. Isn’t that what life is about? Sharing with each other, loving, listening, learning, and telling others about the One who created all of this Beauty.
But, tomorrow we depart. We take a ferry to Paros, will explore the island, and then embark on our sailing trip the next day!! :) THEN…HOME!!!
Hopefully I’ll be back on here again before we sail. If not, bon voyage! :)
Take care,
-J
The Beauties of the Acropolis :)
Our shadows in the ruins of the city of Athens from 2,000 B.C. :)
Nap atop the Acropolis? Catchin’ some rays? Sounds good to me.
(If you know me, you know how much I love to nap…anytime, anywhere!)
