Home again...home again...jiggety jig...

The girls and I left Indiana on Tuesday morning around 9 am...headed to Chicago for our 3:10 flight. All went well on the trip and we boarded our flight without incident, with supper stored away for the last flight :) I was most nervous about the connection in Atlanta because we had less than an hour to catch the connecting flight. I was assurred and reasurred that we had plenty of time, just not to stop for anything :) and kindly NOT offered any help...eerrgghh...but, we did in fact make flight- we made it through Atlanta airport from concourses A to concourse E and then to gate E 18, all the way at the end...of course...we had to run- literally- to make it and as politely as possible excuse ourselves as we made our way pass people on both escalators...and took a flying jump on the tram just seconds before the doors closed! We were almost the last to board the plane, but made it :) - all of that in 15 minutes - none-the-less!

We arrived in San Jose on time and our friend was waiting patiently to pick us up...too bad our luggage was still in Atlanta! So, home- well- home for the night- to our friend's house in San Francisco de dos Rios, sans toothbrushes (the ONE time I didn't pack them in the carry-on!), but tired enough not to really care...talked to Matt before I went to bed and let him know we'd been assured that the bags would be there at the airport by 1:30 the next day...and found out his plan to pick us up.

As I lay in bed that night, listening to the sounds of the city (that I do NOT miss), I thought about our trip, that precious time with just family, early Thanksgiving dinner, no agenda, no appointments, the blessings of new friends who sacrificed their time to drive 5 hours to the San Jose airport to drop us off last week, then old friends who sacrificed their time and opened their home to us for the night, fed us, fellowshiped with us, then again, the same new friends making the trek back to the city to pick us up...all of those things, and the many new blessings we have discovered living in a new area. I rejoiced at the time with my family, but I discovered the pang in my heart to be back "home." Not in Indiana, which will always be "home," but back in Villareal, which is my new home. I uncovered that desire to see Dinora, my neighbor, be back in church, walk the dirt road, pet my dog. How I missed the rooster crowing in the morning (way better any day than the random car alarms heard through the city night), the green, green trees, the freshness in the air...how I longed for my new home. And to be near my husband again and hold my baby boy!

It was only a week, and splendid time of laughter, fun and special memories with my parents and brother and niece, I longed for the comforts of my new home, the familiarity that Costa Rica brings me, the warmth of m husband's embrace. <3

So, now back home two days, I still am uncovering more and more the depth of my gratitude to Jesus. he gave so so much for me...and He still gives- amazing wonderful blessings reign down on us from God the Father, Maker of heaven and earth.

Financially, this is a hard season for everyone, including missionaries, including us...But our God is good and He will provide...He does provide...He IS providing! Daily, in the midst of increasing tight budgets...he is providing!

I am thankful for a new job for my mom that allows her so much less stress and the opportunity to spend quality time with elderly. A new job in times where most are without. I praise God for less stress for my mom and for the health of my parents. Sure, they are aging (I hate to think about that) and they have their ailments, but they are relatively healthy. I praise God for the gift of getting to see my dad in person to see he is okay and doing well, for moments to challenge him in his faith and to just listen to his soft gravely voice, to see his smile, to watch as the girls sat and played with him. I thank God for the memories we have and will hold dear for many, many years from this trip...to precious to share here, but will hold forever in my heart.

Join me today in praising God for all He's done for you!

visit with my parents

The girls and I made it safely to my parents in the wee hours of the morning, Tuesday November 10th. We left the house at about 6:30 in the morning Monday 11/9 and drove 5 hours to the airport (actually our friend, Pastor Nelson drove us- what a great guy!) and then waited a few hours for our flight. Flew to Atlanta and had a two hour layover. then landed in Chicago around 10:00 PM. My mom and our good friend Jenny were waiting for us at the bottom of the baggage claim escalator- what an awesome sight!!! :) Then made the drive from Chicago back to Indiana and got to be about 4 am! What a LONG day!

We came back to visit my dad who had open heart surgery back in September. We are here only for a few more days, but it has been a wonderful blessing to see how well he is doing with my own eyes and to hug him and just sit and talk. I thank God for the discovery of cheap tickets!

We've skyped Matt and Ethan who remained in Costa Rica, a few times,. It seems all the fun happens when the girls leave! The first night we ewre gone, they found a million yucky cockroaches in the bathroom and a four inch scorpion (with the tailed curled!) in our bedroom! the next morning the howler monkeys came out and tried giving Matt a shower with their bodily excretions! EEEEWWW! Fun times for the guys!

Pictures to come another day...tomorrow morning off to pick a few Christmas presents with my Dad!

Looking forward to seeing Jenkins tomorrow, Thanksgiving dinner Saturday- YEAH - PUMPKIN PIE and TURKEY!!! I haven't had turkey in two years! Church on Sunday and seeing Pappy and Mimi and then preparing to leave on Monday.