An {almost} Empty Apartment

It's hard to believe that in a little over 48 hours from now, things in our apartment will be getting packed up in boxes and shipped in a small crate to the Northwest. I know when I sit in an almost empty apartment in a few days it will really hit me that we are leaving. I can't really predict the emotions I will feel, but I know myself well enough to know that I will probably be giddy with excitement thinking about the next time I open those boxes being in America in our new home {wherever that may be}. I will also probably shed some tears thinking about the many memories Erik and I have made in this place. We have lived in this apartment for 2 years now- the longest we have ever lived in any building together - so leaving it will be hard for this homebody. Of course, there are things about the apartment that drive me crazy like having the smallest kitchen ever, the smells that come up from the sinks and tubs, power and internet that goes off and on when it wants, and the fact that we have to take a elevator 24 floors up/down to go anywhere. But it has been our home and I have loved making it our place. As I sit here on my couch and look at our empty walls and when I open a drawer that used to be full and is now empty - I can't help but get a little sentimental. I am going to miss this little apartment we have called home - maybe more than I thought I would.

I will also miss many more things about living here in Jakarta. If I tried to list everything that I will miss about this place it would take me awhile and I am sure I would miss some things. I know what I will miss most of all is relationships. I have said it many times, but I was really unprepared for the deep friendships that I have made here. The people I work with, the people at our church, and the people I have been introduced to through other means (softball, other friends, etc.) are friendships that I will miss greatly. There is something about sharing an experience like living overseas that is so special. So, the thought of going back to a place in America where I potentially have to start over making friends doesn't thrill me - it actually scares me a little. I am thankful, though, for the friendships we do have back in the States and I am so excited to be closer to our friends and family - maybe we will even be in the same state as some of them! :) But, even with the hope of being near to some of our friends and family, leaving the friendships I have made here is going to be one of the hardest things I have had to do. Thank the Lord I don't believe this will be last time I will see them (even in this life)! And of course, not only we become friends with our co-workers, we have also become friends with the students. Leaving them behind (and maybe not seeing them again) is going to be tough.

But, even though the goodbyes are going to be tough and I don't like thinking about it - I am also sitting here rejoicing and praising God. The peace that we feel about going home is so encouraging. And there are so many things we are looking forward to like being near family and friends, yummy food, fresh air, driving a car, normal grocery stores, fresh air {worth mentioning twice}, watching football games at a normal time of day, a dishwasher and a dryer ... just to name a few. I can't wait until I can call my mom anytime of the day and not have to subtract 14 hours to figure out what she is doing at the time. I can't wait to spend more time with my nephews. I can't wait to make another place our home for however long God has us there. And I can't wait to meet my son and be able to have the blessing of family and friends being so close.

Living in Jakarta has been life changing. It has been wonderful and it has been down right hard. We have grown so much as a couple and as individuals. We are different than we were 3 years ago and even though saying goodbye to Jakarta is going to be hard, we are ready. We are excited for what God has for us next. Please pray for us as Erik is still seeking a job and we aren't totally sure where we will be living yet. Erik has had a couple interviews, but we still don't have anything solid. We are praying we know by July sometime so we can move into a place by the end of July/beginning of August. Also, be praying for us as we experience all the different emotions like I mentioned above. We are so excited and ready to be home, but saying goodbye is going to be hard so please pray as we will be having many goodbyes over the next few weeks {we head home June 14}.


The song "Never Once" by Matt Redman has been on repeat in my head and heart {hence the picture at the beginning} as we come to the close of this chapter of our lives, and start an exciting new one - I hope it encourages you as much as it does me!

Standing on this mountaintop
Looking just how far we’ve come
Knowing that for every step
You were with us

Kneeling on this battle ground
Seeing just how much You’ve done
Knowing every victory
Was Your power in us

Scars and struggles on the way
But with joy our hearts can say
Yes, our hearts can say

Never once did we ever walk alone
Never once did You leave us on our own
You are faithful, God, You are faithful

Every step we are breathing in Your grace
Evermore we’ll be breathing out Your praise
You are faithful, God, You are faithful

Bye for now <3