Welcome Home

As most of you know I am now home, and it's really good to be back. Unfortunately this marks the end of my constant posting to this blog. I think I will keep this blog alive for future travels.... even if they are short term. It might be a while though :) but if I've learned anything through having gone to Hawaii is... anything can happen!

Being home has been quite interesting. The first few days were a whirlwind, and after the dust settled it was hard being back, and trying to get used to a new life... a dramatically different life... again! I'm happy that my family is around or it would be a really lonely return. It's amazing how fast you get used to have people constantly around you. I'm looking ahead though with anticipation for what the new year brings... something tells me it's going to be a GREAT YEAR. I really believe that.

Thank you for trying to keep up with my life away from home. During the homesick weeks it was a big help reading all the comments and being encouraged by you all :) I know I HAVE SUCH GREAT FRIENDS heheheh

Until my next adventure...

goodbye!!

Welcome to Lahaina

Maui's rockport... except the "little shops" include quicksilver, volcom, hurley.... yadda yadda. I spent my day exploring this great little town. I woke up early for the beach though, because i knew it would be my last beach day for a while :) Makena Beach in the morning, and Lahaina in the afternoon. I tried to snorkle in between ( I stopped on the road on the way to Lahaina) but I didn't really see any fish! heheh

I catch my first flight tomorrow 9:30 a.m.

enjoy!

believe it or not, this is all ONE tree folks. one Huuuuuuge tree.






He was doing some sort of dance... or something...?


shops


and more little shops











I stopped here to snorkle, but i didn't see much.


my sweet ride ;)


Lookout on the road to Lahaina


This is not Lahaina. This was this morning at Makena Beach... or "Big Beach"


Makena.

Sailing.

Sorry y'all, but my mom and dad do not have facebook (yet!) so, here it goes... again.
Today the lady i am staying with took me on this amazing 5 star sail boat. She works for expedia and gets to do stuff like this for free all the time....
well, I'm exhausted, and they say a picture is worth a thousand words... so enjoy!

Debriefing.

Part of Downtown Kona from the Pier

Maui at last!

I arrived here yesterday around 3 p.m. I was so beat. The last week has been quite a ride as I
mentioned before, and I was exhausted. Staying up late cleaning and packing every night, then
getting up at 5:30 for work everyday, and also feeling like I needed to spend every spare second
being social due to my eminent departure. I'm very greatful for these last couple of days in
Maui.... There were times when I definitely wished that I was just going straight home, but
something in me knew that I would regret it if I didn't come, and eventually be glad if I did
come. So I did, and I'm glad! It is going to be a great time for debrifing, reminding myself of all
that has happened, and all that I've learned here before I come home. Honestly, I feel like a
different person. Anyway, today I spent the whole day as a vegetable on the beach.... (a tomato
to be exact) I did nothing but lie there, read and sleep..... and it was needed. I've been cruising
around mostly on my own, figuring my way around this brand new island and that has been a
lot of fun... just following my own schedule... no more structure meal times THANK YOU
LORD. I love the freedom, but I miss my friends a lot. When I think about the fact that I spent
the last month doing everything in packs, it really surprises me, because I didn't think i was
capable of being a people person 24/7. It's amazing what you can do when you have no choice!
At any rate, I will try to post maui pictures at some point.
I love and miss you all so much. It's hard to believe i'll be seeing everyone again so soon...

surreal!

last day in Kona:

Welcome to the beach :)


The beach front house I will be staying in when I come back :) pshhhh


Sara the explorer


Finding a secluded beach


It all started on the back of a pickup... and that's how it ended too


winnnnndy







snorkeling. love it


*sigh* i am going to miss this place...

Rollercoaster

Wow. Have officially entered the "goodbye" phase. Talk about dejavu!! It feels exactly how it did just before i left for Hawaii....


For the last week my closest friends here and I have been SO READY to go home! Yet, today on our last day of work it finally hit us. It felt like 2 days is just not enough time.... suddenly we don't want to leave AHHH!! what a rollercoaster...you start to really appreciate this place again once it hits you that you are leaving and may not ever come back! Today I said goodbye to my coworkers and bosses, and it was SO HARD to say goodbye. We have been through so much together... my job with the kids here was SUCH A CHALLENGE. My bosses and coworkers were such amazing people who taught me so much about love, patience, and kindness. I wish i could bring them home with me :)

Tonight we attended our last mission builder meeting, and since there are so many of us leaving we had a cookout. The others prayed for us, and we said our goodbyes. Lots of crying and hugging. It's SO WEIRD.... when this place FINALY starts to feel like home, and relationships finally start to feel meaningful and genuine.... it's time to go :( and it's so hard to close such an great chapter. God is SO good, this has been a true gift! On a more practical note... HELP!! I don't have enough space on my suitcase for everything ... i'm leaving SO MUCH STUFF behind and still it might be too much. yikes.

I (and everyone leaving friday) have tomorrow off to pack stuff, and clean! We're going to try to do something fun, and take in Kona one last time before we leave. Last night we watched the sunset and ate some dinner (pictures). It's been so good lately just hanging out without agenda and enjoying being here now.... and that's what we plan to do until we leave friday.

I CANNOT WAIT TO SEE EVERYONE AGAIN!! xo

Jesse, Ida, Hanna, Therese, Maria, and I. (Evan is the photographer)
Good times eating sushi and watching the sunset.


uhhh......


Girls


Sushi from Hyashi's. yum

Sunset behind the Kona Inn.

It's more fun when you JUMP

Sunset shots

Last breakfast


last day of SCHOOL!!! woohoo

The crew leaving this friday! (minus 3 or 4) Taken during our meeting/cookout/goodbyeparty

ahhhh. looking at this makes me really sad..... two of our good friends left tonight after the party.


The 3 musketeers