I'm sure many of you around the world are wondering what have I been up to...well, forgive me for the silence, my only excuse is not making the time to sit down and write! As you can see I have had to sadly change the title of my blog from “Adventures in South Africa” to “Adventures...” once I know whats ahead and where I will be planted for this next season I will certainly let you know!
I had an incredible 2 months 'house-sitting' for my parents in Tacoma during February & March (while they were in Southern Africa doing what they do best: loving, serving and encouraging those working with the poorest of the poor). The majority of my time was spent investing in family and local friendships...as well as organizing peoples homes (gotta pay the bills!), volunteering in my Aunt Cindy's 2nd Grade classroom, doing admin for my parents 501c3, and also setting up another blog to share some of my photography (which can be purchased as greeting cards...take a look www.brynasphotography.blogspot.com).
In the few months that I have been back, one of my dearest friends Melisa, has become engaged to a blessed man named Troy Bass. It has been an incredible joy to be present during this special time in her life. I will be attending many weddings this coming summer, which is a real answer to prayer! In June I will travel to Washington DC to attend the wedding of one of my closets friends from high school, Brock...it will be a real reunion of sorts since graduating in London 12 years ago!
My parents returned at the end of March and we had the privilege of spending our first Easter together as a family in 3 years.
My biggest news to share is that on April 5
th I moved up to the 'big city' of Seattle...where I graduated from college 8 years ago. Since moving back to Washington State from South Africa, I have been praying about what is next and kept thinking about this city I loved many years ago and wondered if God would open up a door of opportunity here.
My decision was solidified when I received a surprising offer to stay with dear friends, Troy & Alexis Phillips (and their two kids Gavin (7) and Angela (5)), for a few months while I find my feet. I have known Alexis since I was ten years old as she lived with my family for many years, then in 2002 when I moved back to London, Troy & Alexis lived with us there for many months and even had Gavin in that stay. Also in 2007 when I was a preschool teacher in Tacoma I had Gavin as one of my students. So needless to say, it is an immense ease and joy living life with this precious family, whom I have shared a rich history with! You can see in the pictures below that I was welcomed with open arms, and even a banner in my new room.
My first week up here was filled with familiar emotions: faith, excitement and uncertainty! I was back wrestling with my 'learning to be and not do' mindset...for I was ready for God to plant a new job, community, church, ministry and friends in my lap right away...but as I know well, these come in time! I did begin to look into part time work at local preschools and even applied for a job at an after school care program that I interviewed for, and got...but in the end didn't take it as it wasn't quite peaceable. I am also wanting to explore work in international ministries and community development. God continues to burn my heart towards Justice! If you live in the area and anything comes to mind let me know. I am networking and putting feelers out there and trust the right doors will open at the right time. In the meantime I am connecting with many old friends from my past...and just being me!
Shortly after my interview for the after care program, I received an unexpected phonecall from a family in Youngstown, Ohio. Jeff & Maggie Hedrich, and their daughter Ava (nearly 5), have been great friends of my parents for many years and supported me while I was in living in South Africa. It is definitely a God-thing when you are supported and loved by people clear across the country that you have never met. They called to bless me with a trip to come and be with them...to rest, pray and grow in friendship. So after I turned down the job the following morning I booked a ticket to Ohio...why not, what an unexpected adventure! During my stay my heart continued to be softened by Jesus...listening to his voice in new ways and being reminded of who I am and how he has created me. Maggie is Irish and used to live in London before marrying Jeff from Ohio (they have a great story), so in the evenings we enjoyed reminiscing London life with a big glass of wine! When I arrived they were acquaintances...but I left new lifelong friends!
God continues to provide for me in glorious and unexpected ways. I wrote a blog entry a few months ago with some of the fun stories. The latest one happened yesterday: As I was out for a walk early one morning, I saw an envelope in the street. It had been raining hard the night before so it was soggy. My hope was that an address would be on it so I could return the misplaced mail. However, when I turned the envelope over it just read “Daddy”. Inside was a wet birthday card from 2 young kids to their Dad...and also a $25 giftcard to Barnes and Noble Book Store! Unfortunately there were no last names or any clues to who the card belonged to, so instead of leaving it back in the street I took it as a sign that God was gifting it to me! The joy was that B&N has a cafe and I was planning on going to that very day to do some computer work. Not only did God provide me with money for a coffee...but now I can return many times in the next few weeks...and bless other friends too!
I pray that this update finds you well and healthy! Despite being so many miles away from many of you, you continue to be in my thoughts and prayers!
Last week I flew to Washington DC to meet up with my closest friends from highschool - The American School in London: Keira and her husband Rodrigo live in Maryland, Amy and her husband Ryan live in Minnesota, and Brock & Gary live in Washington DC. We all came together to attend Brocks marriage to Gary on June 19th! It was a joy to be reunited with such special friends from my past. There aren't many friends in my life who share the common memories of growing up in London. I had not seen them for many years (mainly because I have been living outside the country and we are scattered around the US)...but a wedding is a great occasion to reunite and bless our friendships.
