Ghana Update Weeks 9-11: A Heart Full of Love

Three weeks have never passed so quickly! On Tuesday March 18 I flew from Accra to New York, stayed the night in New York, and so arrived in Phoenix around midday on Wednesday. From then on it was go, go, go... In addition the wedding, I got to attend my brother’s final drama performance and celebrate Easter with my family. While it was wonderful to see everyone, I have to admit that in the fight for number one on my list of “bests” for Easter Sunday, the fabulous food is a very close second. My sweet tooth was very happy! Another highlight was hiding Easter eggs for my dad. It’s a story for another time, but let’s just say that it’s not your normal Easter egg hunt. Here’s to old times, Rae!

The week leading up to the wedding was full of parties and get togethers as so many people where in town for the event and for Spring Break. Nine of us from high school still stay close but we are branching out across the globe so it may be a couple years before we are all able to be together again. (I know that breaks your heart, Heidi....) So you can understand that this wasn’t just a wedding celebration. That was certainly the focal point, but the reunion was all the more precious and bittersweet due to this realization. Coming to Ghana, knowing I might have to miss Ashley’s wedding, was a very difficult decision. I am so thankful that I was able to be there. And so thankful especially for those who helped me make both the decisions and the trip itself.

You might think that the week after the wedding would have been less busy, but it was not. For anyone who travels to see family in the town where they grow up, this is not a surprise. Everyone wants to see you – and who are you kidding, you want to see everyone! Soon you are scheduling every meal and driving all over town – and on the phone catching up as you drive from one side of town to the other. Part of me missed my cell phone for the two months I have been in Ghana, but I will confess that I was slightly ecstatic to turn it off last Tuesday. I am sorry for all the phone calls I was not able to return but hope we can still exchange some catch up emails... or you can wait for me to return your call in mid-July if you would like...

While I was in Tucson I was surprised to discover a much larger readership for my blog than I was aware. Which makes my little blunder all the more fabulous. I have two blogs and I posted my Ghana updates on the wrong one. Sorry for that, guys, because it means that you have been several weeks without any information. I know I was a week behind when I went to the states, but certainly not 3 weeks. Everything should be straightened out now!

All in all, it was a full three weeks and I returned to Ghana with a very full heart. Some times you just get hit with a realization. It’s not that you did not KNOW something already, but you realize its extent. I know that I am blessed. But over the last several months and weeks I have just been hit with the realization of HOW blessed. I know that I will forget soon; I will get busy, life will blind me, things will go back to “normal”. But then God will spring the realization on my heart once more and I will once more stand in complete awe of his generosity and his grace. You are part of that blessing which fills my cup to overflowing. Thank you for all your cards, notes, hugs, speeches, prayers... everything. Your kindness and attention is truly humbling. I lack the words to express how much I appreciate your support and encouragement. I look forward to seeing so many of you again in a couple months. God be with you till we meet again.

Agape,

Alayna