Well this is my last update!

I'm back in the States now!

My last month in Cote d'Ivoire was bitter sweet. Saying goodbye is really hard and I had to do some of the hardest goodbyes I think I've ever had to do in my life.

God is constant through all things. He has been my strength and will continue to be.

My last week in Cote d'Ivoire was a busy one. Lots of visiting, hanging out with the family and going to the orphanage to check on things.

My last day at the orphanage I just soaked in every last minuet with the kids, Nestor and the staff. I made cookies for everyone which I passed out. It was great!! On my way out something so sweet happened. Usually I walk out and catch a moto Taxi alone. Well not this time. As I was walking out I noticed that all the kids were following me. My heart was touched as the kids walked me to the door to say goodbye. I'm going to miss them so bad!

My last day with my family was a Sunday. I got up as usual and got ready for church. Right before we left my family presented me with a wonderful gift. It was a beautiful pink panya that my friend Ig'nora had woven right in front of our house for me. I wore it to church. Everyone was saying how pretty I looked and after the service I had to say my goodbyes to a lot of the congregation that had become such good friends.

On Wednesday the 26th of October all the Journeyers packed up and got in a van to go to Abijan to catch our flight. I said goodbye to Sara, Tenena and Benjamin the people I worked with in the kitchen to make food when all of us Journeyers would get together for seminars.  I had to say goodbye to my rats as well. lol

We arrived in Paris early Thursday morning. I was shocked by how cold it was obviously!! All of us spent four days talking, eating delicious French food and seeing the sites in town. I went to a French church service our last day in Paris. There all of us presented Journey Corps to the congregation. Our last night as a team we prayed together and gave each other encouragement for the next steps ahead of us. Lots of tears.

Monday morning we headed to the airport. I had to say goodbye to Steph and Angelika and Rod.

When we made it to the airport in New York I said goodbye to CJ, Devin, Jason, Naomi, Alyssa, Chazz and Hiedi. It was quick and all of a sudden I was alone again in an airport waiting for my flight back to Seattle.

I finally made it to SeaTac airport and family and friends were waiting :) I felt super blessed and loved to have My mom, dad, sister, Clayton, Rueben, Colin, Chatmans Emily!! Mrs. Dunham. Gosh It was wonderful

I remember writing about how I would be totally changed when I got back to SeaTac airport again. Well I am. For sure. But in some ways I'm not.  I'm still the same crazy Holly. I think that I'm slowly realizing how much my mind set has changed now that I'm back in the States. But it's a slow process and so not easy.

This past week has been really busy. Seeing and meeting everyone again has been great! It's weird driving again, traffic lights, Grocery stores. So many things that I didn't even know would be different to me are. People are so busy! No one says hi to me on the street. In Cote d'Ivoire everyone knew about the U.S. and what was happening in the U.S. Now that I'm in the U.S. no one seems to care about Cote d'Ivoire. I have to explain that Cote d'Ivoire exists it's a country and I lived in for a year.

I'm really thankful that I have my friends and family and the other Journeyers to help me through this transition time.

Looking at my future back here in the states I'm planning on going back to school to get my bachelors degree.

God is good and as long as you do all things for him and for his glory your on the right track.

Thank you so much for supporting me through this journey. Now and a new chapter of my life is beginning.

I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.

Prayer requests

For my families in Cote d'Ivoire the Yeo and Tuo family.

For my health I’ve been sick for almost three weeks with a cold.

For my family here. My sister Hannah is getting married in the spring and my brother just went off to basic training for the Army.

For the Journey Corps program that it progresses.