Say Hello Wave Goodbye

Well, I guess another holiday season has come and gone. We have all made it to year 2013. It is crazy because this blog has actually been the first time I have typed out or really acknowledged that it is 2013. It is so interesting to see how fast a year goes by. It goes by so fast, yet at times it can take a lifetime.

I feel like the majority of my blog posts begin with an apology for my lack of blogging. But this time, I do not think I am going to start with any apologies. For the past month or so, I have been out enjoying my time in Cameroon. Yes, do not worry, I still find time to squeeze in work, but I have been able to take a much needed break and take a vacation from my everyday routine. The wonderful Karissa Jackson has made her way safely to Cameroon, and boy what a treat she is! Since the moment she has come to the Jackson household we have been busy from morning till night. Karissa reminds me so much of my sister Katie, so it has been so much fun to not only get to be blessed with meeting a new person, but at the same time feel like I am enjoying times like I do with my sister.

In the matter of the few weeks she has been here, we have: gone to the market several times, we have done the whole Christmas thing, we went on a round trip ten hour horse ride out to Faadi and Maimu’s village, we went to the beach, and we have laughed for days. It has been such a breath of fresh air to have her in the house. I have to say, it will be a very, very sad day to say goodbye to her in a few weeks. But in the meantime, we are all enjoying her wonderful company.

Overall, I have been doing well. I have times when I want to go home, and I have times when I am perfectly content to be where I am. Talking with many of my friends and family who have lived abroad, they all say that my thoughts are perfectly normal. As crazy of a person as I feel, they say it is normal. I have to say though, as my time here gets closer to home, I am very much in anticipation of home. It has been tough to be away from traditions and familiarity for the holidays. This has been my first time being away from my family for the holidays, so they were greatly missed. But from being away from them I have learned that I have taken advantage of them. Every year I have been able to be with my family, and I feel like I never really realized how blessed I am to be able to do that. I have taken them all for granted, and I am so thankful that for all of these years I have been able to celebrate Christmas with parents and family who love me.  Even thought I cannot be with them this moment, I dream about what it will be like when I step off the plane and into my parents’ arms. To be honest, I think about that when I want to go home. It is going to be like Christmas Day! Whenever I get sad, and I just want to be home, I think about how exciting that day will be when I see my family again. It almost encourages me to keep going and to keep going strong.

 I finally want to just say thank you so much to all of those who have recently donated to me, and who have partnered with me here in Cameroon. God has provided enough money for me to stay till May! It is so amazing to see how he has touched so many hearts, and many hearts of people who I have never met! Having this happen it really also shows where God wants me to be. He still wants me to be here, and so I will. God has really been in control this whole entire time that I have been here, and it is so crazy to see him at work in my life and in others life.

When I will look back at this time in Cameroon, I will be forever thankful for the time I have had here. God literally took me away from everything in my life, and allowed me to relax and convicted me of so many of the unhealthy habits I had formed. Cameroon really has saved me.

I know this sounds like a goodbye to Cameroon post, but it is not. Fact is, I still have four more months left here. But, as we all know, time flies by. These next four months I know are going to just disappear, and next thing I know, I will be back living in the United States. I want to take these last few months I have here as a time of being in thanks. I am so thankful that God has blessed me with this amazing opportunity, I am so thankful for the conviction he has brought to me so far, I am so thankful for the loving family and amazing friends that I do have back in the States waiting for me, I am so thankful for the little things, like puppies, laughter, rain, and friendships. I am so thankful that I am in fact a child of God! I am so thankful that God never walks away from me, and that he is always here for me. I am so thankful for everything.

I am so thankful for you.

I promise I will blog more often!

Love you all,

Sarah

BIG Thank You to the following people who have helped me fulfill my financial needs to stay in Cameroon for the committed amount of time:

-Bruce and Barbara Bruckner

-Bill and Peggy McQuerry

-Sherwood Lingenfelter

-Kathleen Bills

-Jon and Joy Jackson

Thank you to the following who have been so supportive and who have donated in the past and/or monthly:

-49er Communications

-Cayla Ames

-Baker Family

-Kaylin Beachy

-Steve and Sandy Belch

-Doug and Marilyn Bergen

-Andy Bernadett

-Tayla Buckman

-Calvary Bible Kindred Spirit Class

-Slater and Becki Davis

-Keith and Karen Dodson

-Laura Flores

-George Freilich Construction

-Jana Huntsinger

-Jean and David Huntsinger

-Mark Huntsinger

-Steve and Mary Jackson

-Uli Kaestner

-Donald Lemons

-Jo Ann Mason

-John and Caroline Mills

-Nicola Murphy

-Momma and Pops

-Chris Raymond

-Bonnia and Larry Rekers

-Henry and Bev Schneider

-Lorri and Bob Tarter

-Joe and Judy Tomkiewicz

-Jerry and Linda Waechter

-Larry and Gail Wagner

-White Mountain Trust

-Wiberg Construction

-Jacqueline Young

Thank you for all the prayer support as well!