Leavin' on a Jetplane

A little over a week from today, we will be arriving in the United States of America after 14  months in Haiti!  Can you sense the excitement??!!  We will be on furlough for one month and we cannot wait to see all of the sweet faces we've been missing all this time.  We're also super pumped about all of the American experiences that we've either forgotten or intensely missed.  So for this post, I've decided to do the top ten things we're looking forward to on our visit to America. . .

10.  Customer service.  Let's just say it's not the nation of Haiti's strongpoint.  It often seems no one here is in a hurry to help you, and when they do work with you, you receive a facial expression that communicates feelings like "drop dead, man".  A friend here once told me that the first time she took a trip back to America, she was so completely overwhelmed by the helpfulness she experienced in a restaurant that she almost felt like she was being attacked!  I cannot wait.

9. Familiar food.  There is just not much to choose from when it comes to inexpensive food here in Haiti.  Don't get me wrong, there are some super-nice restaurants here with delectable offerings!  It's just not cheap.  We're majorly looking forward to some variety.  Chick-fil-a and Taco Bell never sounded so good.

8. Worship in English.  There's just something about worshipping in your heart language.  Even though we are functionally fluent in Creole, it is still difficult to be worshipful at church because we are constantly in comprehension-mode.  Are we tracking the sermon?  Did you get that scripture reference?  Am I understanding the words to this song?  We cannot wait to freely worship the Lord in our native tongue on this trip!

7.  Freedom to explore.  We're just looking forward to getting in a car and driving it!  We have been blessed beyond belief by a dear sister and her family as they are letting us use a car during our trip home.  It's going to be amazing to just get on the road and go. 

6. Shopping in American currency.  Going to the grocery is still a mathematical challenge here at times.  Although we know the conversion rates in our heads, it's still mentally exhausting to compare prices and buy food at the grocery store.  Everything will be in US dollars and our brains will be happy with that.

5. Visiting supporting churches.  We are incredibly thankful for all the people who have supported us this first year on the field and we look forward to giving updates about what the Lord has been doing.  We can't wait to personally thank all of you who have been praying and giving.

4. Hunting.  Let's just say it's no coincidence that our trip happens to occur right smack in the middle of deer season.  When we were planning the trip, of course we were wanting to be with family around the holidays, but it was definitely a deal-sealer that it was during hunting season.  Deer Camp 2013 here we come!

3. Just being in America.  All the expats out there, can I get an amen?  It's not that we dislike Haiti.  We love this country!  It's just that, we're American.  We know how to live in America, to function in America, to think in America.  We look forward to some time of not having to "think through" every social context and interaction and just enjoy going places and doing things we know how to do.

2. Sweet friends.  There are some precious people that we've been missing since we got here.  Just know that our hugs may be a few seconds longer than normal.

1. FAMILY!  We cannot WAIT to see our families!  I know our children's grandparents are just hopping from one foot to the other getting ready to hug their grandbabies!  And we are so excited to get to be with the people dearest to us.  We'll see you at the airport!  We'll be the ones running full speed in your direction!

The Joy of Having Children

 "Behold, children are a heritage of the Lord, the fruit of the womb is a reward."

-Psalm 127:3

I've just been reflecting recently on what a joy our children are.  They are a miracle!  The way God brought them each into our lives is a testimony of His power and steadfastness.  Sure, they can be whiny, disobedient and draining at times, but can't we all?  I mean, so often I think I expect my kids to live with a better attitude than I happen to display consistently.  I often expect them to be little adults, and that is unfair.  Training them in the way they should go is a process with bumps and bruises along the way.  Do I have days I want to yank all my hair out and run screaming down the street?  Yep.  But, God's grace is enough for each day and He is working in my children's hearts. . .and in mine.  Our desire is for Kilee and Josiah's hearts to be His.  So, I am resolved to experience the joy of having children more intently and freely.  This is Christ at work in my heart, and He is good.

Kilee was playing house outside and I HAD to get this picture of her wearing an apron and beating a rug with a flyswatter.

Josiah posing with his digger birthday cakes.  He's just a little excited.

And my personal favorite. . .

Kilee and Josiah discover the simple joys of a whoopee cushion.  Priceless!