Reflecting on the past 9 months of living in New York has made me realize how much I'm going to miss when I move to the Philippines. I've only got 2 more months here before going back to Indiana, for an uncertain length of time before moving to the Philippines.
First and foremost, I'm going to miss people. Lots and lots of people. I can't even begin to mention specifics otherwise I'd never stop. (So don't have hurt feelings, because if you're reading this I'm probably gonna miss you too!)
I'm going to miss Reed family reunions in my backyard and Reed family Christmas Eves.
I'm going to miss Thanksgivings with the Ache family and Ford reunions in the summer.
I'm going to miss family game nights.
I'm going to miss K Love Radio.
I'm going to miss my independence of driving wherever and whenever I want.
I'm going to miss playing board games all night long at the Henry's on New Years eve.
I'm going to miss the smell of Spring rain.
I'm going to miss Brookhaven Wesleyan Church and Epicenter youth group.
I'm going to miss English church services, Bible studies, and prayer meetings.
I'm going to miss Mississinewa Valley Band concerts (did I really say that???)
I'm going to miss riding my bike around town.
I'm going to miss family dinners on Sunday with grandma.
I'm going to miss hearing my family yell at the TV when it's on Game Show network.
I'm going to miss my favorite restaurants - Bob Evans and Ivanhoes.
I'm going to miss having a pet cat.
I'm going to miss meat not on a bone.
I'm going to miss girl nights at Janna's.
I'm going to miss watching my Henry and Vinluan kids grow up.
I'm going to miss watching my family grow with more nephews and nieces.
I'm going to miss American pizza. I'm going to miss frozen pizza.
I'm going to miss corndogs and tenderloins.
I'm going to miss James Dean Days and the 4H fair.
I'm going to miss Junior Bible Camp, Jr & Sr High Camp, & Family Camp at Fairmount campgrounds. I may never get to experience a "Married Couples Retreat" there either.
I'm going to miss carry-in dinners at church... They have them in the Philippines, but it won't be the same.
I'm going to miss Pastors appreciation month, kids programs, and the Easter pageant (still not the same)
I'm going to miss microwave and toaster ovens (do they have those in the Philippines? I don't think so...)
I'm going to miss family birthday parties, Mothers Day with my mom, and Fathers Day with my dad
I'm going to miss ice-cream cake with my twin on our birthday.
I'm going to miss sleeping without fear of cockroaches.
I'm going to miss watching fireworks at the Wolfe's and at RJ Basket for the 4th of July.
I'm going to miss Starbucks dates with Andrea.
I'm going to miss understanding everyone and everyone understanding me.
I'm going to miss texting or calling my friends and family.
I'm going to miss breadsticks at Circle K.
I'm going to miss Missions Month at my church.
I'm going to miss leaves changing color in the fall.
I'm going to miss wearing "hoodies".
I'm going to miss playing games in Walmart.
I'm going to miss my home and my neighborhood, where I've lived nearly my whole life.
There have been two family weddings and one family funeral since I've moved here. I already missed my youngest niece's first birthday and I'm going to miss her second birthday because I'll still be in New York. I'm going to miss many birthdays after that. I'm going to miss graduations. I'm going to miss weddings.
The only thing I probably won't miss is snow and winter.
I know I'll make new traditions. I know I'll love my life there. I know I'll make great friends. I know I'll enjoy time with my Filipino family. I know I'll make new hobbies. I know I'll have a great man on my side who loves me very much. ....
Lord, grant me the strength to do your will and to go where you want me to go. Help me to be brave like Ruth, Esther, and Abraham! Who as foreigners in the land were used in mighty ways. Help me to be supportive of my fiance/husband when he goes through the same things I'll go through in the Philippines.
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