While I was packing, Andrew asked if he could have some space in my carry-on bag for something he wanted to send with me. My carry-on bag is small, and it was packed full with all the electronics that aren’t allowed in checked bags, but I knew that whatever it was that he wanted to send along, I would be happy to have it, so I made space.
When I arrived, things were crazy for a few days – jet lag, meeting everyone, cleaning, and getting settled. Andrew asked me a couple of times if I opened it and I hadn’t yet. I think I was avoiding it because I didn’t want to cry. But then I got a WhatsApp message from Dotty telling me to open it, so I did 😂.
Andrew is one of the most thoughtful people I know, and I figured this gift would be lovely, but I was not expecting this!
He asked friends and family to write cards for me to open throughout the year. They are separated into months (and “get well” and misc) and people have written on them what dates or occasions to open them.
It did make me cry, of course, but I sat on my bed under my mosquito net with my lantern and read all the cards for September – arrival through the 7th. It did make me feel a little homesick, but it also made me feel loved. I have read and re-read them all several times already.
This is the most thoughtful gift. I will cherish it during the year I am here and forever when I reminisce about this adventure. Thank you to everyone who contributed. Each card is a highlight of my day.
September Cards
Thank you, everyone! I love all of these cards! Thank you for the words of encouragement and for letting me know you are thinking about me and praying for me. Thank you for the houseplant, Kyena! I think I can keep it alive! I love the Andrew-coffee stains on Dominic’s envelope 
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October Cards
I am sooo looking forward to my October cards! I have been keeping all the cards in the accordion file in order to keep them nice and clean, but I think I’m going to find a way to hang them up after I open them so I can enjoy them more often and more easily. I haven’t run across any tape, but we seem to have an abundance of clotheslines at the market so maybe that will work. I’ll keep you updated. Thanks again to everyone who contributed! I love this!
I had my own little pile of goodies for Halloween in Sierra Leone, thank you all! This was a good day!
November Cards
November has been a little difficult… just so busy and I miss Andrew and everyone so much. The cards, and the messages you’ve written in them, are just what I need some days. Thank you ❤.
December Cards
Andrew visited me for Christmas and New Year. It was wonderful to have him here for a little while and so hard to send him back home. We opened all the Christmastime cards on Christmas Day on Banana Island, where we spent most of our holiday. Today, I opened all the cards again and put them up on my card wall. I know I’ve already said it a bunch of times, but now more than ever, these cards mean so much to me. Every time I open my front door and see the wall of cards, I smile. Thank you to everyone who contributed!
January Cards
Thank you for the January cards, everyone! My card wall is getting full and and starting to fall down! At the end of February I’ll have a new wall picture to show you.
February Cards
Thank you for the February cards, everyone!
March Cards
Thank you for the March cards, everyone! As of today (April 1st), I have 97 days until I am home. These cards are (and have been) getting me through those times when I’m feeling really homesick.
❤️❤️