Technical Difficulties

Sorry for being MIA. We are having technical difficulties. Well, basically, my internet in India was 1000 times better than my internet in South Georgia. But, that should be changing by the end of the week (Thank you, AT&T, for finally offering DSL in the boonies)! If I don't post before then, don't fret. I will be up and running as soon as possible.

Much love! Thanks for following!

Away for a while

Hey, there, blogfriends. I am going to be blog-less for a little over a week. I have to head up to North GA for a job interview (pray!), then to see Eliz in Atlanta(yay!) and then to Virginia for a visit to "the farm" to debrief the last two years and see tons of friends. I'll be back live on the 23rd!

A Different Athens

On my way home from South Asia, I stopped by Athens, Greece, to visit my dear friend Roslyn (also a former Journeyman) who is now married and living there. It was so fun to see my sweet friend there, meet her awesome new husband Amir, explore Athens and just enjoy a little bit of down time before the transition to Tha-Merica.

Ros and Amir

In Athens, I went at sunset to Mars Hill where the Apostle Paul preached to the Athenians. I saw it again in the daytime as well. From Mars Hill, you get a great view of the city.

Sign in Greek that talks about Apostle Paul speaking there (see Acts 17:16-34)

Mars Hill from above

Me and Ros and the beautiful sunset behind us

I also went to Acropolis, went to the Acropolis Museum and saw many ruins including the Parthenon, the Propylaia, the Roman Gate, Olympia and the Hadrian Library.

The Parthenon

The Propylaia

Daytime view of the city

We went to see the tomb of the Marathon Soldier, who ran all the way from the last battle (the Battle of Marathon) between the Greeks and the Persians to announce that the Greeks had one (by betrayal, according to Amir—a Persian). The soldier died of exhaustion right after he delivered the news of victory. This tomb is guarded by soldiers dressed in traditional clothing all day, every day—much like the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery.

The tomb is right in front of the Parliament building.

The soldiers that guard the tomb are really tall.

We also went to a beautiful park and saw lots of neat little animals and even spent at day at the Mediterranean Sea on the beach.

Roslyn cooked a delicious Iranian meal for the first time! Go Ros!

I had so much fun with Ros and her new family. Love you, girl!

A visit to my old "stompin ground"

at La Parilla (Sam, Collin, Lee, Marie, Clay and Levi)

Athens. What a wonderful place.

For the four years I studied at The University of Georgia, I called Athens my home. I loved living there. Those years were truly awesome. I met my lifelong friends there, I got a degree, I began to grow in my relationship with the Lord, I went to some amazingly fun football games. I thrived.

So, when the opportunity to go back for a visit to help my little brother move into his new house arose, I took it! Though a lot of my closest friends have all moved on to different stages in their lives in different places, I was able to see a lot of the people that truly made my college experience great. Some friends were even conveniently back in town for different reasons.

The best college pastor every- Sky

Daira and little Alex

Mrs. Brannon

my twin, Dana ;-)

buddies at Barberitos! (my favorite in Athens)

Dana, Daira and Tyler

And Blake's room at his super-neat house didn't turn out too shabby either.


Ben and Blake

Stef

This past weekend I helped Blake move to Athens and was able to reunite with many friends (more on that later). On the way to Athens, I stopped in Macon to see Stefanie, a dear college friend and fellow former Journeyman. We have been friends since our freshman year at Georgia, along with two other sweet gals--Heather and Lauren. I hope to reunite with them soon.

Stef was home for the week from New Orleans, where she attends seminary. We had not seen each other since July of 2008 in Thailand. She left South Asia later that year while I still had another year of my term left. It was so great to reunite with Stef and talk about "the big transition" from South Asia to America. She is such a great friend and always an encouragement to me. I love you, Stef!!!

Homecoming Parties

Last Saturday night, I was welcomed home with a fun party at my neighbor's home. John and Wanda are excellent hosts! Many friends and family were able to come, and it was so good to be able to see everyone and visit again. Here are some photos from the night.

The hosts, John and Wanda, and the delicious cake

The Snyders

Sydney and me...do you think we are related?

Nanny and Pappy

Mama and baby Braxton

Grannie Ella, Papa Milton and Blake

Jamie Leah

The next day at my home church, I was welcomed back again with "Supper on the Grounds." I requested potluck Southern cuisine and homemade ice cream! It was delicious and wonderful to be back with my church family since my childhood. These people have loved me, prayed for me and supported me. I can't begin to thank them enough. Here are some pics!

Kimber, Jamie, Lindsey and Grace

Renee, Jewel, Gloria and Denise

Me and Bro. Walter (Forgive the dazed look. I think it was the jet lag!)

It was a fun-filled two days of reuniting with friends and family that I won't soon forget. It is such a blessing to come home and feel so welcomed and loved. Thank you, everyone! I love you!

Homecoming

I am one blessed girl.

I am from a small town in South Georgia called Colquitt. Here, everybody does know everybody. So, it's nice to be back in a familiar place with familiar faces.

Apparently, they were preparing for my return as much as I was excited to be coming home!

This sign was in my yard.

These yellow ribbons were put up around town.

This was my daddy's office door.

I almost had a police escort back into town, but because my flight was so late (see previous post), that didn't happen.

It's good to be home.

After too many hours of traveling...

I MADE IT HOME!

At 12:10 a.m. on Saturday, August 1, 2009, my feet hit that sweet Georgia soil. And, I was greeted by these beautiful people.

(our new president, included)

It was a crazy day of traveling. I left Athens, Greece, then flew to Frankfurt, Germany, where I had a 4-hour layover. I reached Atlanta around 4 p.m. on Friday, July 31st, in hopes to get through immigration/customs and get some Chick-fil-A in enough time to make my little puddle-jumper flight to Albany at 8 p.m. Well, Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport apparently can't handle a little bit of rain that well. So, I didn't leave Atlanta until about 11:45 p.m. I could have driven home, but they told me that it might be hard to get my luggage out to take it with me. So, I waited on my flight in an effort to stay with my four pieces of luggage.

When, I finally arrived in Albany, this reunion ensued.




And, I didn't get my luggage until Sunday.