2nd post this year...that's pretty good for me, i'd say :)

it's amazing how the days fly by when something is coming to an end. i fly home tomorrow (eek!), and truthfully i'm quite sad about it. not to say that i'm not excited to see everyone at home...it is just hard to leave a place and people that have grown so dear to my heart, especially not knowing when i'll be be back. OH! and here's some exciting news...ELIZABETH IS COMING BACK FOR ANOTHER YEAR!!!! she talked to sam and alan, who are happy to have her stay and work for hillside again. she is coming back in july with the UCF team and will be staying here when they all leave. we are all super excited for her, and i have to say it is good to my heart to know that someone will still be here to continue the specific relationships that we have developed and grown. YAY!

anyway, since our time here is quickly growing short (john, elizabeth, and dwight leave next monday!), we have been trying to see and spend time with as many people as we can. last friday we hosted a bar b que in our back garden for our friends from both churches as well as from the estate. it turned out to be a beautiful day, and i'm proud to say that we successfully went through...dum, dum, dum...130something burgers and 50 sausages!!! needless to say, we all had a lot of fun. (and just to let everyone know...the guys from the church take very good care of us. we definitely could not have done it without all of their help!)

saturday we went up to coleraine with our friend danny to play on his boat. despite the combination of cold water, one hurt ankle, and one horrible wake-border, we had a great time hanging out. yesterday was our day to spend with our friend paul. we went to see indiana jones (i have to say, i was a wee bit disappointed), had family dinner, wore funny hats (see picture below), and spent the evening playing music and talking. elizabeth and i took a hiatus from paul for an hour or two to hang out with amy, reegan, anna, kay, and lauren.



since this is our last week, it is full of many "last moments." today is my and elizabeth's last art club with the girls. we are having a party and our friend amy is going to come, too! the guys are heading over to calvin and marty's, and i'm pretty sure that they will be two very sad boys when dwight and john leave (of course, dwight and john will be two sad boys, too). later this evening bobby and norman are stopping by for a while. even though we've only spent one day with them since we've been here, they are one of the most encouraging couples we know. we are excited about seeing them again! oh, and tonight is also our very last family dinner...sad.

please pray for us as we are saying goodbye to all of our friends here. pray for opportunities to spend quality time with them and last chances to share the gospel. specifically, the girls on my heart right now that you can be praying for are amy, anna, and danielle. also, please pray for our readjustment when we head back home. it is going to be a different life for us than the one we've grown accustomed to this past year. i mean, we all have to find jobs and everything...yuck. thank you all for keeping up with us and being faithful to pray.