Monday, May 2, 2011

Homeward Bound - May 2

At the "Blow Hole"
Sunday…last day in Maui ... Wow…where did the week go? We have been debriefing but we have also have had some fun and enjoying this beautiful place.  We were able to snorkel some and one day saw a Monk Seal resting on the beach.  We were told the Monk Seal just come up on the beach occasionally and rest every now and then for a couple days.  
Blow Hole
One afternoon we walked to a place where there is a “blow hole”.  A large hole in the rocks where the water from the ocean sprays up some 40-50 ft and then lets loose a ton of water.  It was a hard walk over rocky terrain but gorgeous and so worth it.  One day we drove to the other side of the island… just explored the area…. stopping at craft fairs, checking out shops and ate good fish for lunch.  We have eaten about half our meals other than breakfast… all in the apartment…  so the other places we ate had been fun seafood with ocean and sunset views… amazing!  One thing about Maui that we have not liked is the prices of food and things in general.  Its kind of shocking after being overseas where fresh food is cheap and you can bargain for things in the market…. talk about sticker shock!  Our favorite things have been the weather… the view off our patio… and listening to the waves.
Rock (lava) Formation on way to Blow Hole
 It has been such a great time for us as we processed the last 5 and half months.  It was so great to visit friends in 9 different countries... it was amazing to see how God is at work in these places… to hear story after story of how He brought people to Himself…to be reminded of what a creative God He is.  I am cautioned to not allow myself to try to squish Him into a box again as I have done over and over again…challenged to live my life being more purposeful in each day… refreshed in my relationship with Roger as it went to a deeper level as we shared so many experiences together and learned so much more (yes even after 33 yrs together) about each other.
Some of the people we had the privilege to be with.
Overall, there are many people we came in contact with and they impacted our lives greatly.  We also pray that we impacted these people for the kingdom and that their relationship with Christ will be established or enhanced.  We met most all these people shown in the pictures in these collages.  These people and many like them need to have a relationship with Him and we hope you will also remember these people as they search for the truth.
Some additional people we had the privilege to be with.

Monk Seal resting on the beach
Tomorrow we fly to Chattanooga to spend a few days visiting family… pick up our cars … and Liberty our dog and then head home.   I have to admit I am saddened at the thought of not traveling… I am also ready to go home and see what life holds for us now.  It will be different in that Roger will be working on starting his own business while still doing consulting for the company he has been working for… and will be working out of the house…. but life will be each day… looking for what God wants… living with purpose to bring glory to Him in all I do… that will be my focus….


So yes… I am ready to go home… we have been listing things we are looking forward to and there are many things… also listing things that we have had to change our thinking of like…
  • What is the exchange rate?
  • Wonder if it’s squatty potty … with tp or no tp… wonder if it’s a pay toilet?
  • How do you say hello ... thank you?
  • Why are there so many people speaking English?
  • Can we can drink the water?
  • Is that kilometers or miles?  Fahrenheit or Celsius?  You get the idea… :)
Some of the things we are looking forward to?
Sunset in Maui
  • Seeing Ben and Sarah
  • A new pair of glasses (mine broke and have been repaired with super glue numerous times)
  • Sandhills Community Church
  • Our bed … even though those provided were great
  • Some different clothes
  • Trying the new recipes I have accumulated
  • Reconnecting with friends back home
  • Seeing family again (and the dog, Liberty)
  • Putting the suitcases away!!
  • Exercise routine again!
  • Being able to buy product brands I am familiar with (as opposed to the description in foreign language…like shampoo, toothpaste, lotion etc)
  • Getting a haircut
I guess that gives you an idea of what we have been thinking of…
We are thankful for those who came on this journey with us via this blog…. time will tell whether I keep on blogging… guess if I do I will have to change the name of it... :) Something exciting like…”and life goes on with Roger and Jan”  Whatever is ahead… I am sure it will be interesting and never a dull moment!

3 comments:

  1. I hope the life of your blog does go on! There are too many words to describe how I have been enlightened, encouraged, and engaged!!! I must admit, I did not realized you even had a blog until recently. Guess I'm somewhat out of the loop these days! Anyway, I have enjoyed the journey with you to the many places you visited and the lives you touched. Love and miss you! ~Leslie

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  2. keep blogging y'all...I love the way you write about how God reveals Himself to you in and through people and circumstances. I've enjoyed the journey with you. Hopefully you can talk about things you couldn't while you were in different countries. I'd love to know what seminar (?) Jan was involved in while in Dubai. What was it like in China...beyond what's been said already? I'm sure He has more learning for you as you continue to download your minds and experiences.

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