Home Sweet Home

After 36 hours of traveling, we are back in the good ol' US of A. It sure is easy to move around the airport when you have been relieved of your luggage. My parents met us at LAX and we enjoyed our trek back to their house, mindful of the smooth ride and traffic lights that not only worked but showed all three colors. So now we are recovering from the unfortunate start to our home leave at the Dueck Spa & Resort. I actually didn't cry until I was ready to wash the grime off my body in a nice hot shower and Mom showed me the loufa sponge and body wash that I could use. For some reason, that put me over the edge and I teared up. Being emotionally astute, I am guessing that it wasn't really about the loufa sponge but more of being pampered after a difficult few days. The shower was amazing and the towel so soft and fluffy, that much of my burden was lifted away right then and there. We enjoyed a delicious meal on the back deck by the pool that was followed by a bowl of ice cream topped with peaches. Heaven. With our eyes drooping a few hours later, we flopped into a soft bed with pillows that were perfect.

It feels good to be out of Zambia for awhile and I am praying that I will say that it is good to be back when the time comes. In the meantime, we need to buy underwear and other necessities and begin to think about what we need to replace and what we can let fall to the wayside. Jason asked me why I kept wearing the same pair of shoes all the time. "Because they are the only shoes I have!" was my reply. If I just buy my favorite Mary Jane crocs that I wear most everyday anyway, then I will be set. Other decisions are more difficult but there will be time to figure it all out. But my spirits are lifted. How can they not be when I get to have hugs from my parents, calls from friends, and the boys constantly entertained with swimming in the pool?

And this morning for breakfast I had healthy whole wheat bread and a bowl full of strawberries, blueberrries, peaches and bananas, my most favorite combination of fruit. It almost erases the troubles we've had. I did say almost, didn't I?

Thank you to everyone who has supported us through prayer, emails, and phone calls. We are blessed to be upheld by all of you and sustained by a God who remains present with us (even when our belongings can't!). Forgive me if I don't respond to each of the messages you all sent. My mind is whirling with a million things we have to address and figure out. But know that each message on my blog or facebook or by email was a great encouragement to us. What we lack in stuff is more than made up for in community.