London?! No big deal...
Jeremy started talking about taking about going to London in May right before our anniversary. We talked about going after Kosovo but it seemed pretty impossible because we needed to make sure all the students got back safely so we decided we'd go in October during my fall break. Although I knew this would be a challenging time because it's around Jana's due date, I agreed. One night in Kosovo Jeremy brought it up again, but this time it was around Krislynn and Sean. Now these two people have become some of our best friends over the past three weeks. They are still learning about Jeremy though so they didn't realize that he was serious when he said he wanted to go. Jeremy kept saying, "I'm serious!" If he gets his mind set on something, he goes all out to make sure it comes to fruition. It is one of my favorite things about him but I am the type of person who gets pretty sad if things don't happen. Since I know myself in this way, I don't let myself get excited about anything until it is about to happen because I don't want to be let down. For example, I didn't let myself think about the New Zealand trip until the tickets were booked. I did the same thing when it came to London. I don't really tell people things until I "know" they will come to fruition either, but hearing Jeremy talk about the actual possibility of going made me get a little excited because I love both of these guys so much and I know taking a trip with them would be so fun. All of us only met three weeks ago, which makes it so much more special that our friendship is so deep. I feel like I've known Krislynn for years and I feel like Sean's the brother I never had. We shared so many good memories in Kosovo as we hung out and did ministry together that we knew going on a trip with them would be fun too. I will never forget these moments of rich community and I was thankful Jeremy brought up the idea of going to London. Although I wouldn't let myself get excited, I deeply wanted it to happen. When tickets were booked, I couldn't believe that it was actually going to happen. First of all, we had to make sure the trip was okay with a few people since they would be leaving Kosovo for a week. All conversations led to tying up some lose ends which were easily tied and we continued planning. To make it work the best we decided upon taking all the students home, wash all our clothes, and then leave again 48 hours later.
Jeremy started talking about taking about going to London in May right before our anniversary. We talked about going after Kosovo but it seemed pretty impossible because we needed to make sure all the students got back safely so we decided we'd go in October during my fall break. Although I knew this would be a challenging time because it's around Jana's due date, I agreed. One night in Kosovo Jeremy brought it up again, but this time it was around Krislynn and Sean. Now these two people have become some of our best friends over the past three weeks. They are still learning about Jeremy though so they didn't realize that he was serious when he said he wanted to go. Jeremy kept saying, "I'm serious!" If he gets his mind set on something, he goes all out to make sure it comes to fruition. It is one of my favorite things about him but I am the type of person who gets pretty sad if things don't happen. Since I know myself in this way, I don't let myself get excited about anything until it is about to happen because I don't want to be let down. For example, I didn't let myself think about the New Zealand trip until the tickets were booked. I did the same thing when it came to London. I don't really tell people things until I "know" they will come to fruition either, but hearing Jeremy talk about the actual possibility of going made me get a little excited because I love both of these guys so much and I know taking a trip with them would be so fun. All of us only met three weeks ago, which makes it so much more special that our friendship is so deep. I feel like I've known Krislynn for years and I feel like Sean's the brother I never had. We shared so many good memories in Kosovo as we hung out and did ministry together that we knew going on a trip with them would be fun too. I will never forget these moments of rich community and I was thankful Jeremy brought up the idea of going to London. Although I wouldn't let myself get excited, I deeply wanted it to happen. When tickets were booked, I couldn't believe that it was actually going to happen. First of all, we had to make sure the trip was okay with a few people since they would be leaving Kosovo for a week. All conversations led to tying up some lose ends which were easily tied and we continued planning. To make it work the best we decided upon taking all the students home, wash all our clothes, and then leave again 48 hours later.
We got back from Kosovo on Wednesday night. The reunion was so sweet. We exited the terminal and to a sea of parents holding signs for their children. Then the endless sea of hugs, smiles, and kind words were shared for the next 20 minutes. Beth and Amber came to pick us up at the airport and then we headed to Chow Baby on our way home.
Look what Beth did on our calendar!! Maverick loved staying with her!!! He wouldn't leave her side when we got home. It's a good thing because she will be with him again this week.
We did just what the calendar said, with the addition of hanging out with my parents, the Dillard's, and Jana. Although this time was jammed pack with stuff as I shared so many Kosovo stories, I was able to get everything done. Friday evening, Beth returned to our house and we headed to the airport yet again, but this time to the new international terminal. The terminal is really nice and we were impressed. The British Airways line to get our boarding passes was extremely slow and long, but we finally got our boarding passes and headed through security. Our stomachs were growling by the time we made it through all the lines so we stopped at the food court on our way to the gate. Our options were limited but we did have a little bit of everything. Varsity called our names, which is a pretty uncommon thing, and we sat in a location where we could watch people come and go around the terminal. It was pretty neat. Due to some engine problems our flight was delayed about 30 minutes, but during this time I talked to a lady by the charging station. Talking to her gave me life. I'm usually a person who likes to keep to herself. I usually put on my "sunglasses" and pretend to be invisible, but we had some good conversations. She was going to surprise her niece for her 25th birthday party. She was a little worried about not making it in time. I wonder if this is the true me coming out again.
Ha- Can't you tell how excited he is to be standing in line?!
I got on the plane and was exhausted. I started watching Les Mis and I fell asleep. I remember Jeremy trying to wake me up and ask me to eat dinner but I couldn't keep my head up or my eyes open so it just sat there. I did wake up in time for breakfast. It was good and consisted of a granola bar, craisins, and a croissant.
We landed about 40 minutes late because we circled the air because of a backup at the airport. We zoomed through customs and by the time we got to baggage claim our bag and guitar case was already taken off of the conveyer belt, so we headed onward. Yeah, we checked a guitar case because Josh bought a guitar in Kosovo and needed to get it home. We stuffed it full of things for Krislynn, Valdete, and Sean but the funniest thing was having the British Airways guy ask us if we wanted to gate check it! He looked at us really strange when we said there wasn't a guitar in the case!
Highlight of my day:
Seeing this beautiful girl was the sweetest moment of my entire day. Yes, it was the highlight of my entire day. They were supposed to meet us at a coffee shop but weren't there when we got there yet. Instead of waiting there, I asked Jeremy if we could go to the bathroom. When we neared the bathroom, I saw her and Sean coming through the door from the outside. I felt a surge of energy rush through my body and ran to give her a hug. I missed her so much and I was only away for 48 hours. The Lord has definitely brought her into my life and our friendship is something I am unable to explain. I have learned so many things from here over the past 21 days and I cannot wait to see what the Lord continues to teach us.
Seeing Jeremy and Sean together also makes me smile. They have a cool relationship mixed with seriousness and fun.
Once we found out where the hotel was, we jumped on the tube and headed down the Jubilee Line to the Green Park stop. Of course we decided to mind the gap getting on and off the tube.
I cannot believe we all just met a little over weeks ago.
After putting down our bags, we ventured out to see what we could find for lunch. Apparently our hotel is in the posh part of London and we quickly found a market filled with restaurants. The host asked us if we had a booking.... hmm... I enjoyed falafels for the first time and would probably get them again if given the chance. I am going to be adventuresome on this trip!
After lunch we ventured out and about around London. Since Sean and Krislynn are coffee lovers and have missed Starbucks, we took a pitstop by one just to get them a treat. There was a gay pride parade occurring so the streets were pretty crowded for a while.
Before dinner, we headed back to the room to relax.
Sean and Krislynn have missed Mexican food too so it was pretty important we found Chipotle on our first evening to give them a taste of home. I loved our seats in the restaurant because we sat at a bar facing the street. As we ate people walked by on the street and looked at us. I was loving all the people watching I was able to do and I even entered their world because I waved at them!
After dinner, we walked around some more and stopped at a local pub to have some more conversations before we turned in for the evening. Krislynn and I get in deep conversations pretty often and I remember talking about humility on our way back. There were some things she said that will probably stick with me forever. She loves people so much! Both of us feel that this is a friendship that is from the Lord and that it will be a friendship that will last forever. I feel so blessed to know her and thankful for all the things I've learned from her.
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