We have three weeks until we leave... 21 short days. We have been focusing on church planting, work, summer teams, but now it is time to focus on getting ready for America.
We need to pack up our house here and store some things in our friends' garage. This is such a big job, but I am trying to be upbeat about it by telling myself it is a good opportunity to get organized and get rid of unneeded stuff. I just typed up a list to help me think through each room. Now I can work on it little by little and hopefully not be overwhelmed all at once! We have brochures to write and get printed and pictures to organize and movies to make and a prayer card that need printing.
It is fun to think about being in America again. It's been two and a half years since we went for the birth of my niece and the funeral of Peter's grandma. Sierra has never been to America! Strange to think about.
It is hard to know what to expect, or even know what the US will be like now. The US changes so rapidly. Sometimes having the wrong expectations causes a lot of confusion and grief. But as humans we just naturally have expectations, it is hard to even know what they are until disappointment strikes. I know that I will get the hang of the States again easier than Mongolia, but I don't expect it to be without stress.
For example, I haven't been to a grocery store in a LONG time. I know that the joy and wonder of just pushing a cart down and isle of well stocked shelves will be great thing. But those well stocked shelves will also be a source of stress.... i mean how many toilet paper and toothpaste choices does one person really need? I am use to having one choice, getting toilet paper or not getting toilet paper. I haven't been to church in a LONG time either. My kids have NEVER been to Sunday school. How will that go? I drive a max of 35 mph here. Will I really be able to get back up to 80 mph without biting my fingernails; and the traffic..... traffic here consists of goats and a horse cart every now and then. I can just imagine my hands gripping onto the steering wheel and my palms sweating as I deal with FIVE lanes of crazy drivers!!!
But all of those fears pale in comparison to the hope and joy of seeing my kids with their grandparents and aunts and uncles and friends. Or how much fun it will watch my kids LOVE grass (no grass here) and be able to be barefoot, to go into a store and have clothes that fit me and a dressing room to try them on in private! To go to church and sing in English again and be encouraged again. The wonder of going out for a good meal, and the great comfort of a culture that I can understand and hopefully not second guess myself in all the time!!!! To watch Weston's awe of a "water toilet" each time he goes to the bathroom and the wonderful convenience of a hot shower ANYTIME I WANT! Or the health of a variety of veggies and fruit in the the winter. And finally to miss winter all together. I am so glad to miss a Mongolian winter and know that I will not need a parka or boots for another year!
Ah the wonder of America, the home of the free and the brave! See you soon!
4 comments:
Whoo-hooo! I'm so glad it's time to pack! :) I know it must be overwhelming, but it'll be worth it! Yeah! Love you!
Becca, I am so sorry that I never got that package to you. I know it isn't a very good excuse but money has been really tight. I haven't forgotten about you though. But with you coming home soon it wouldn't get there on time so I will try again anther time. I am really sorry, please forgive me?! I know what you mean about all the cultural things, it will be fun though to show your kids so many things! I will be praying for your transition! Would be fun to see you but we are up north.
Hey, You are a pro at new things coming home is going to feel like riding a bike. Know matter how old you get you never forget how to do it! No worries, remember. Love ya, Mom
It must be weird to leave your home and settle here for a short while knowing your home in Mongolia waits. In my heart your home is here! My heart aches to see you and to spoil my grandbabies! Life with God is a journey and never boring. He is amazing and teaches us to walk with Him by faith. You left 3 years ago and I'm sure you and Peter are such different people now. His refining process has made you both to reflect Christ through brokenness and loneliness and total dependence on Him.
We have been praying for all of you for the transition here in America. It does move fast and we do have too many choices but it's the greatest country to live in. God breaks us here in different ways but He is faithful to complete the work in us.
We are so excited to have you home! Our hearts are in such expectation to hug and love you all!! What a great homecoming!
Love you heart and soul,
Mom
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