Today I am heading off to Istanbul for a week before my journey to the Emerald Isle. I hope I will be able to post from Istanbul but right now I have no idea. If you have read my birthday post please don't forget to read about my time in Cappodocia and Ankara as those posts will explain the last pictures I put up. Here are a few last birthday wishes from chums at home and abroad.

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HAPPY BIRTHDAY SKYLER -- When I first met you we were both real shy. Now look at you travelling all over the world not knowing who you are going to meet. I'm so proud of you for doing what you dreamed of for so long and even better you haven't forgotten about your friends in the States. Have a wonderful day. I'm looking forward to your visit. HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU, LOVE YA, SANDY

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skyler aka skywalker, well at least thats what the YWAM outreach team from brazil liked to call him. i first met him at weisek and nancy's home in southern poland. i thought, who is this tall american traveling around europe and how did he end up in poland? because usually only polish americans visit poland. those questions were soon answered and i was amazed at how blessed he was by god to be able to travel like he is. i was sure glad to be able to talk with an american as i am sure he was glad to see two more americans, my brother and i. while he began to answer those questions and how he got to europe/life story i began to see how important his family is to him. he talked of his siblings and parents, growing up ect. the greatest thing i heard him talk about but most of all saw, was how he talked about his savior. thier were only a few conversations about the lord, due to time of course, but as he talked about jesus living in his life and how he has changed his life forever i began to see jesus through him in a way. hard to explane if you havent experienced this sort of talking to someone who knows the lord but walks with him daily. that really encourged me to press on walking with the lord in my daily life. i was blessed to meet a man who really treasured his walk with the lord. so far, even growing up in church i havent seen men his age really walking with the lord in thier every day life and it was so great to see that skyler! may the lord richly bless you on your birthday! your friend, em