My Golden African Birthday

So.. today I turned 22 on the 22nd. In other words what the Chinese refer to as my golden birthday. I must admit that as I woke up this morning I dreaded the day. I have missed my family tremendously and the though of being away from them and not being able to speak to them on this day was unbearable. Praise the Lord, for God is good and faithful much beyond my deserving. The missionaries here had a birthday party for me tonight in which my African family whom I lived with and other missionaries here attended. It was a lot of fun with lots of kids running around and screaming. The Bledsoes' gift to me was a book they compiled of birthday wishes from my friends and family. I don't know how they got people to send me birthday wishes but they did and it was such a wonderful surprise!!! For all of you who took the time to send them a message... THANK YOU!! I cannot tell you how much it meant to me to read your kind, kind words. Another wonderful surprise was that I was able to speak to my parents today. They also have been out of the country so there has been no correspondence between us at all for the last two and half weeks. It was so good just to hear their voices. God is good!
Two years ago I also spent my birthday in Africa. It was the summer I was in Tanzania. It is funny to think of how much my life has changed in two short/long years. I have learned so much.. God has shown me so much. Tommorrow I will be leaving for Abidjan and will fly out of there on Thursday for home. So tonight is my last African post. I wish I could tell you all the things I have seen, felt, experienced, thought, processed.. in the last few weeks. But I can't. I still am not quite sure how this experience fits into my life and what I will take away from it. One thing I do know. No matter where I go, or the circumstances I am in or the people I meet, God is the same. He does not change. He is faithful, he is good, he is sovereign. Praise the Lord that those truths never change. May he continue to reveal himself to me in my next 22 years. I want you all to know how much I appreciate first of all that you have taken the time to read my blog. Secondly, for all your prayers and support. I feel so incredibly blessed today because all of you are in my life. The Lord has truly blessed me with an incredible family and a wonderful community of friends and supporters. I can't wait to see you all, some sooner than later, and to share stories and pics.
I love you all..
Good night from West Africa.. see you back in Tennessee..