Cyprus (after 13 years)

In 2008-2009, I had the privilege to move to the island of Cyprus to live with a pretty incredible family.

I went to be the worship leader of their church for a year, but so much more happened. Above is the first Sunday service after I arrived in November 2008. The church met in the living room of our home.

I learned what it looked like to be a wife who loved her husband well. I learned what it looked like to be a mama who unconditionally loved her precious girls. I learned what it meant to be an adopted big sister to two girls who were always watching me, my actions, my reactions, my choices and my relationship with Jesus. I learned what the heart of a pastor looked like and how that translated into everyday family life, loving his wife and his girls. It was truly an honor and a whole bunch of fun. This family knew how to have fun!

And we can’t forget that I met my husband during this year!!! In a castle in Austria of all places. I’m thankful Tim and Darlene served as adopted parents to me, as they walked with me through the early butterflies and emotions, doubts and excitement.

So naturally, when the opportunity came up to go to a conference in Cyprus, I was giddy as a school girl. (AND… Nancy and Pierre agreed to take care of the kiddos for a week… wow, thank you guys!) Here we are in the Nice airport with Thomas and Laura, a really sweet couple seeking where the Lord would have them serve.

Nice is not too shabby at night.

Back of the plane.

Classic in flight photo - Cyprus, here we come!!!

I love these faces!!!

The conference was held at super fancy hotel. This is the view from our hotel room balcony. What a blessing.

Conferences feel like family reunions, even if it’s the first time meeting people. Loving Jesus is our common connection. Here’s a great guy named Tim.

Hotel pool by night.

Our room.

Morning selfie.

Breakfast in paradise.

Breakfast buddies, Linda and Brian.

It’s my old home. I lived up there for a year with the Mattox fam.

Cute Darlene driving on the other side of the car.

Visiting the old surf spot where I used to go. We used to call it Helios. Now it’s called Sandy Beach. Super original. Haha!

Photo with Darlene at Helios. You can see why when I lived there in 2008-09, many people asked if we were sisters. Darlene loved it!!!

They have the papery grass that we can get in Nice, too.

I cherish this moment I had with my “big sister” in Christ.

Meet Kony. He’s STILL alive!!! He was my little buddy way back when. Now he’s blind, but still as sweet as ever.

Do you think he remembered me? I like to think he did.

We visited Norma and her daughter Georgia at their café. Georgia has a surfboard that I left with her in 2009 and still rides it. She has become a much better surfer than I am. I feel like a proud mama. Haha!

Meeting more new friends at the conference. Small world - the guy next to Tonio, Wissam, knows someone from our church in Nice. I love God’s family!

And another new friend, Sean!

When in Cyprus, you pull doors open like this. HA!

And you push them like this =).

The conference group! Tonio is in the back middle, and I’m peeking out next to him.

This sweet woman is Allie. She was like a grandmother figure to me while I lived in Cyprus. She is full of encouragement and peace and joy from the Lord. I had her play keyboard with us during worship when I lived there, and she said it really sparked a joy in her to continue. She’s still is on a worship team to this day. Such a blessing! Love you Allie!!! I’m so glad we got to chat, if even just for an hour.

Greek orthodox church and my handsome man.

Now, if you’ve ever been to Cyprus, you know very well that the cats run the roost. They are EVERYWHERE!!! This picture encapsulates Cyprus very well to me, cats, nature and the sea.

More fun friends from the conference, Gal and Liah. We have a mutual friend from California. So fun!

Fireworks show from the balcony one night. Ooooo…. Ahhhhhhh…. =)

Tonio and I got to lead worship one morning - it’s always so different to lead worship in English now after having led in French for 11 years. I always feel like I’m singing the wrong words…haha!

Picked these out for the kids.

This gal is a dear friend I met when I lived in Cyprus, Soulla. We have stayed in touch and we encourage each other through the trials of being mamas. She has my favorite accent in all the world, South African Cypriot. Thanks Soulla for taking the time to come see me! Miss you.

Our last picture with Thomas and Laura before they left to start their traveling journey. We love you guys!!!

Enjoying some last moments of calm before leaving the hotel.

The whole week was pretty windy, so neither of us went swimming once, not in the pool or in the sea. Crazy. Oh well, next time.

Irene was such an encouraging person. So glad to know you now!

View from Tim and Darlene’s roof.

Buster and Tonio.

Shipwreck from 2011.

Wide angle photo. I can’t even imagine how this must have happened.

When in Cyprus, one visits the shipwreck. Haha. Darlene said that when it happened, tons of people came out. There were vendors selling food and ice cream. A real spectacle.

I love this photo. Tim and Tonio. Like I mentioned, Tim served as a stand-in Dad for me when I first met Tonio and he came to visit me in Cyprus to tell me he liked me… giddy me!

Darlene, you’re the best shipwreck tour guide! I miss and love you!!!

Cyprus kebabs in the airport. Thanks Tim and Darlene.

Cyprus to London.

Tired eyes. It was a late flight and the beginning of a LONG journey home. We made it eventually, but I got really sick after. I’m still recovering today. Phew. Hence, why it took me so long to write this blog post. We are so very thankful for this time we were able to spend at the conference and for me seeing my Cypus family and friends from 2009.

Thanks so much for reading. It’s truly an adventure loving and following Jesus where He leads. I hope today you can know that God is crazy about you! Really.

Love Linz