Monday, April 20, 2009

Back.


I want to thank you all for the prayers that you have prayed for the wonderful Navajo people (or Dineh Tah, as some of them prefer to be called) as well as for the CR team that just got back home on Saturday.

I have a few hilarious and moving stories as well as interesting tidbits to tell you, and a cast of characters I want you to meet from this mission trip, including

*the most intense plane ride I have ever taken

*sitting next to one of the producers of America's Most Wanted (what are the odds, people? and you KNOW I love me some true crime.)

*a beautiful soul named Bennie Nez, a veteran who speaks Vietnamese, Japanese, Navajo, and English, to name a few

*some of the most beautiful children I have ever seen (not to mention the stellar nicknames we picked for them)


*Pastor Justin, who serves the Nazlini Church of the Nazarene faithfully without pay

*eating my first Navajo taco

*Learning that little Navajo girls play the same games as Jami and me

*giving somewhere around what felt like 1300 piggyback rides to children hungry for love and affection, and especially to the ones who didn't realize the social more of a piggyback SIZE limit. OY!

*hiking down into Canyon de Chelly and then have to hike back up-leaning on Jesus all the way

*Rose doing the stanky leg

*the Nava-HOE-Down





*making more beaded necklaces than I ever wanted to in my entire life

*seeing God's beautiful creation

*missing my handsome man something fierce (there may or may not have been tears at one point)

*trying to discover God's purpose for my trip out west

*eating the HOTTEST Tex-Mex food I have ever eaten

*meeting the brother of the Navajo Nation's president



MORE to come--just give me a couple of days!



love you all so much.

10 comments:

Guatmama said...

So glad you are home! Trusting you have come home richly blessed...

Leslie said...

Welcome home! I'm thrilled to hear that you had such a blessed trip!

Josh and Kristi said...

Sounds like a great trip. I know its not possible to go on trips like that and not come home pumped up and changed. Can't wait to read more. Eli is ready for that date!

Jessie said...

Can't wait to hear more stories! Sounds like you had a wonderful time!

Amy S said...

WELCOME BACK LAUREN!!! Proud of you!!! Sounds fun!! Now Get some rest! :)

Keyly Watts said...

I'm so glad you're back, safe and sound. Can't wait to here more - until then, God Bless you.

Andrea said...

Woo Hoo!!!! So glad you are back!

Courtney, Jeff, Ayla & Leah said...

sounds amazing!

Anonymous said...

So glad you're back! I can't wait for you to bless us with your God experiences. Love ya, Kim W.

Christy said...

Ok so now that I read the comments I am so jealous that YOU are having a date with Eli! hmph! Seriously though you know I'm glad my texting buddy is back =) love ya!