Resting in Bakersfield before the big trip!

Sorry for not posting sooner. :( I am now in Bakersfield, CA, staying with my grandparents for almost three weeks, and then I will be returning to Papua New Guinea on July 13th. While I'm here, I need to fill out college applications, practice flute, buy a fancy dress, run, and spend time with my family. Please pray that I would be faithful to do everything and that I would do it well. I have already gone shopping since I've been here, as well as swimming at my aunt and uncle's house. This is supposed to be my summer vacation, but there are so many things to do that it's not really a vacation, just time off from school! The time my family spent in Irvine was more of a vacation, but we went out to eat every day with my parents' friends, and that got to be annoying. The house that we stayed in was beautiful, though. I especially loved the garden in the backyard. It was so pretty!

Anyways, here in Bakersfield, I love the walks that I go on with some or all of the family every night. I'm also enjoying the heat and the ever-present sunshine. So far, my stay has been great, and I hope the rest of it goes well. :)

The day has finally arrived!

The day is here! My family is leaving Ohio today! I have mixed feelings. I love my Grace church friends, and I am going to miss them terribly, but on the other hand, I am so excited to spend three weeks with my grandparents, in warm, sunny, Bakersfield, CA. Thank you to everyone who prayed for my family's support. My faith has been strengthened by God's great provision and also by your loving encouragement. Thank you for all of the ways that you have helped me feel at home this year! I will be praying for all of you, and think of you often! Would you please pray for safety as my family travels to California today? We leave Cleveland at 3:10 PM and arrive at LAX at 10:05 PM (Cleveland time). We'll be staying in Irvine, CA, for a week, visiting friends of my parents there, and then traveling to Bakersfield to stay with my grandparents for three weeks. On Monday, July 13th, we'll leave the US and fly through Hong Kong and Cairns, Australia, before arriving in Ukarumpa, Papua New Guinea, on Friday, July 17th. Thank you once again for everything! Please feel free to email me! I'd love to keep in touch. :)

Much love,

Jessica

Jude 1 :24-25

²⁴To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— ²⁵to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.

Packing and Saying Goodbyes

My room is so messy right now, not because I am disorganized, but because I am moving in 12 days! I have mixed emotions about the whole process. I will miss my friends here with all of my heart. Their love and kindness to me have encouraged me during this year in the US. My friends have blessed me in so many ways. I can't even say how thankful I am for all that they have done for me. The Grace Church Senior High Youth Group has also been such a blessing to me. God has used Pastor Steve to teach me so much and everyone has been so friendly. The youth group is overflowing with love and God is using them to impact the lives of others in a variety of ways. It won't be the same next year without Wednesday Night Live and Sunday Morning Son Life, but I know that God wants my family to return to Papua New Guinea. I am excited about visiting my grandparents in California and then seeing all of the friends that God has given me in PNG. I am looking forward to a great senior year, before I come back to the US for college, but I wish I had more time with everybody in Ohio. If only I could take all my friends to PNG, one of my dreams would become reality. But I don't think that's what God wants, and God's plan is best, so I strive to follow it. I wish that even just one friend would come visit me. Maybe somebody's up for a new and invigorating experience. I'll just wait and see. For now I only have 12 days left with all of these wonderful people, some that I have known for many years and others that I have only recently met, and I want to make the most of them! God bless you guys!

1 Thessalonians 1:2-3

Thanksgiving for the Thessalonians' Faith

²We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers. ³We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.