7/4/12
Hello Everyone,
Happy 4th of July! Wow, it’s been a while since my last update!
I have been in the States for two months now and although I’ve been extraordinarily busy, I haven’t had much to write about. I sat down several times with the intent to update all of you, but every sitting concluded with me having writer’s block.
So I told myself that today is the day I will send something out. That ‘something’ turned out to be this summer’s highlights.
April 25th- Pioneer Bible Translators’ West Africa Branch missionary women threw me a Surprise African-themed Bridal Shower! I had no idea it was coming and was completely shocked! We had a meal (rice and sauce) and then the women gave me traditional gifts and blessings from the people group they work among. It was an amazing evening and a terrific way to close out my time in West Africa.
April 29th - 30th- Flew back to the States where I was warmly greeted by Mom, Ben, and my cousin.
May 1st - 15th- While adjusting to being back in the States, I traveled around Ohio reconnecting with friends and family. I started looking for a wedding dress as well as bridesmaids dresses.
May 20th- My Mother and Future Mother-in-Law held an Open House/ Couple’s Shower for Ben and me. It was wonderful to see so many friends and family together in one place! I shared what my time in West Africa was like and then answered questions during a Q&A Session. After that, Ben and I opened gifts and were amazed at everyone’s generosity.
May 21st - June 3rd- My time was filled with meeting wedding vendors, searching for an apartment, starting pre-marital counseling, and ordering various wedding items.
June 4th - 16th- Flew to Dallas, Texas to spend two weeks at Pioneer Bible Translators’ headquarters. The first week was a time of debriefing where I met with leaders to talk about my time in West Africa, discussed options for the future, and updated paperwork. In the second week, I served in the nursery during Pioneer Mission Institute, our annual conference. Seeing old friends and the Litseys again was wonderful; God knew I’d need to be around people who could relate with the culture shock I’ve gone through since coming back.
June 19th- The Missions Committee at First Christian Church in Sandusky threw a wonderful Bridal Shower for me. It is rare for me to feel as comfortable and accepted as I do with the women at First Christian Church. I truly enjoyed spending the afternoon with them. The food and desserts were absolutely delicious and I was once again blown away by the generous gifts.
June 20th - July 3rd- Meetings, meetings, meetings. Thankfully, these meetings are incredibly enjoyable because they allow me to catch up with old friends. One inconvenience is that most of the people I met with live quite a ways from each other. That means I was on the road often and living out of a suitcase. Of course, during my downtime, I was still juggling planning my own wedding as well as attending others’ weddings.
Right now- I am putting final wedding plans into motion and trying to keep all my other plates spinning. Ben and I signed a lease for an apartment and I am in the process of getting it set up for us to move in after the wedding.
Near Future- Ben and I have our Bachelor and Bachelorette Parties this weekend and our wedding the following weekend! We are very glad that we’ll finally get to take a break during our Honeymoon in Hocking Hills.
General Future- The plan is for Ben to continue working for the Data Factory in Norwalk, OH where we will be living. I will substitute teach again and just take time to work through all the emotions I’ve been too busy to deal with since leaving West Africa and arriving home. We’re also looking forward to simply spending time together after being separated for so long and learning what it means to be married.
That’s my summer in a nutshell. The plan is to send out a Newsletter after the Honeymoon complete with pictures from the Bridal Showers, Wedding, and Honeymoon. Thank you for your patience, understanding, and encouraging words.
Praise be to God for all of His provisions: safety getting home and with all the driving that I do, wedding plans coming together easily, and all of the people who have spoken wisdom and truth when I’ve needed it!
Please pray that Ben and I continue to heed the Holy Spirit as we enter into marriage and our life together. We don’t know where He will lead us, but we want to be open to whatever path He desires.
Thank you for all of the support you’ve shown me these last two years. God has used you to further His Kingdom. It is my prayer that you would continue to be obedient and sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s leadings.
Resting in Him,
Julie
Hello Everyone,
Happy 4th of July! Wow, it’s been a while since my last update!
I have been in the States for two months now and although I’ve been extraordinarily busy, I haven’t had much to write about. I sat down several times with the intent to update all of you, but every sitting concluded with me having writer’s block.
So I told myself that today is the day I will send something out. That ‘something’ turned out to be this summer’s highlights.
April 25th- Pioneer Bible Translators’ West Africa Branch missionary women threw me a Surprise African-themed Bridal Shower! I had no idea it was coming and was completely shocked! We had a meal (rice and sauce) and then the women gave me traditional gifts and blessings from the people group they work among. It was an amazing evening and a terrific way to close out my time in West Africa.
April 29th - 30th- Flew back to the States where I was warmly greeted by Mom, Ben, and my cousin.
May 1st - 15th- While adjusting to being back in the States, I traveled around Ohio reconnecting with friends and family. I started looking for a wedding dress as well as bridesmaids dresses.
May 20th- My Mother and Future Mother-in-Law held an Open House/ Couple’s Shower for Ben and me. It was wonderful to see so many friends and family together in one place! I shared what my time in West Africa was like and then answered questions during a Q&A Session. After that, Ben and I opened gifts and were amazed at everyone’s generosity.
May 21st - June 3rd- My time was filled with meeting wedding vendors, searching for an apartment, starting pre-marital counseling, and ordering various wedding items.
June 4th - 16th- Flew to Dallas, Texas to spend two weeks at Pioneer Bible Translators’ headquarters. The first week was a time of debriefing where I met with leaders to talk about my time in West Africa, discussed options for the future, and updated paperwork. In the second week, I served in the nursery during Pioneer Mission Institute, our annual conference. Seeing old friends and the Litseys again was wonderful; God knew I’d need to be around people who could relate with the culture shock I’ve gone through since coming back.
June 19th- The Missions Committee at First Christian Church in Sandusky threw a wonderful Bridal Shower for me. It is rare for me to feel as comfortable and accepted as I do with the women at First Christian Church. I truly enjoyed spending the afternoon with them. The food and desserts were absolutely delicious and I was once again blown away by the generous gifts.
June 20th - July 3rd- Meetings, meetings, meetings. Thankfully, these meetings are incredibly enjoyable because they allow me to catch up with old friends. One inconvenience is that most of the people I met with live quite a ways from each other. That means I was on the road often and living out of a suitcase. Of course, during my downtime, I was still juggling planning my own wedding as well as attending others’ weddings.
Right now- I am putting final wedding plans into motion and trying to keep all my other plates spinning. Ben and I signed a lease for an apartment and I am in the process of getting it set up for us to move in after the wedding.
Near Future- Ben and I have our Bachelor and Bachelorette Parties this weekend and our wedding the following weekend! We are very glad that we’ll finally get to take a break during our Honeymoon in Hocking Hills.
General Future- The plan is for Ben to continue working for the Data Factory in Norwalk, OH where we will be living. I will substitute teach again and just take time to work through all the emotions I’ve been too busy to deal with since leaving West Africa and arriving home. We’re also looking forward to simply spending time together after being separated for so long and learning what it means to be married.
That’s my summer in a nutshell. The plan is to send out a Newsletter after the Honeymoon complete with pictures from the Bridal Showers, Wedding, and Honeymoon. Thank you for your patience, understanding, and encouraging words.
Praise be to God for all of His provisions: safety getting home and with all the driving that I do, wedding plans coming together easily, and all of the people who have spoken wisdom and truth when I’ve needed it!
Please pray that Ben and I continue to heed the Holy Spirit as we enter into marriage and our life together. We don’t know where He will lead us, but we want to be open to whatever path He desires.
Thank you for all of the support you’ve shown me these last two years. God has used you to further His Kingdom. It is my prayer that you would continue to be obedient and sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s leadings.
Resting in Him,
Julie
