Back home in the U.S.A.

It's been almost two weeks since we have been back.  We technically don't have a "home" yet, but God has been good to us in teaching us that HOME really is where the heart is.  Some people have asked how the kids are doing with all of the change and I am happy to say that they are just fine, better than fine.  We have each other and we serve the same God-that is all that matters.
I thought I would compile one of my random lists covering some of my latest thoughts, emotions, and musings.

1.  Taking a hot shower and actually feeling clean afterwards is a pretty amazing feeling.  Something I won't take for granted anytime soon.
2.  I lost a jr. high/high school friend a few weeks ago and it hit me pretty hard.  He was an amazing guy who always made me laugh.  Memories keep flooding my mind of my time with him.  The only good thing that is coming out of it right now is the desire to keep in better touch with old friends.
3.  It is very strange to think about how I was in Zambia two weeks ago preparing to leave.
4.  I love how living in Zambia taught me to be more relaxed.  Not that it is a relaxing place to live, it is actually quite stressful, but I feel like I have a better understanding of first world problems and third world problems.
5.  Straight roads are nice. And driving on the "right" side of the road and "right" side of the vehicle. :)
6.  Filming House Hunters International was such a nerve-wracking, yet fun experience.  We had the best crew and they felt like family by the end.  I have no idea how the show will turn out, but it was a good time and we were told really positive things by the crew.  "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and GLORIFY YOUR FATHER IN HEAVEN."
7. My dad said something really funny the other day about my feet, "are they going to be permanently dirt stained?"  I laughed so hard.  My feet certainly took a hit in Africa.  I wouldn't have it any other way though.
8.  It is strange to have to think about the weather now and what to wear.  In Zambia, you pretty much know it is going to be hot, and my clothes options were pretty limited.  Being back, it has already been 50 degrees and 85 degrees.  Never once did we have that kind of jump in Zambia!
9.  I get my first haircut in 9 months on Friday and I am pumped.
10.  My heart hurts when I think about how much I miss our friends in Zambia.
11.  There is something freeing about going to the faucet and putting a cup underneath and drinking from that cup.  Do not take this lightly folks, we have it very easy here!
12.  God blessed us with two amazing little travelers.  On our 15 hour flight, they were rock stars.  They played, colored, slept, and watched movies.  I was more antsy then they were!
13.  Abu Dhabi and Dubai were the cleanest cities I have ever been in.  And the richest too.  It was definitely a major contrast leaving Africa and being there a few days.
14.  Evan got his foot stuck in an escalator in Dubai.  I was able to pull it out right before we got to the bottoms but it was pretty scary.  He did lose a chunk of skin off his big toe and it is taking some time to heal.
15.  All I want to do eat all the yummy food I missed this last 9 months, but I am trying both successfully and unsuccessfully to have will power.
16.  We had a really unique situation in Zambia where we got to live in the same yard (different houses) as our wonderful friends and fellow missionaries from Ankeny, the Smiths.  It is not often that adults get to experience the community we did.  We loved each other through the good and bad and they are now our extended "family".  It was very hard to leave them.  We miss you guys!!!
17.  I love how stores are organized to make logical sense here!
18.  Time is tricky everywhere.  I was busy in Zambia and I am busy here in different ways.  My prayer is that God will help me to always plan my day according to kingdom purposes.
19.  We have been living out of boxes for about a year now-excited to move into our apartment in mid-June and not be digging to find everything!
20.  There is a really amazing guy named Chimbaza that we have hired to continue the work we started in Zambia.  He is a man of integrity and conviction and we praise God that he wanted to work with us! More on him soon.
21.  Am I excited to be back? Yes.  Do I want to be here and there simultaneously? Yes.  Still sorting through all these thoughts and emotions.

Evan's poor little toe

Our housekeeper and my dear friend who I miss-Felista

Filming HHI

My "sister" Heidi (left) and Dr. Marjie-two amazing servants of the Lord

Mickey and Chimbaza at the Kalungula garden we planted

Goodbye Zambia, Hello U.S.A.

Yes, come mid-May, we will be saying our goodbyes to our ministry partners and friends in Zambia and saying hello to our family and friends in the U.S..  Due to our adoption not taking place, Mickey's work has called him back into service.  Part of the deal with him getting time off was use of FMLA time, and now we are not covered by that time.  He has unfortunately already used all of his vacation and sick leave time to be here.  We did ask for an unpaid extension, but it was denied.  The Bible is clear about respecting authority, including employers, so we are following orders.  We are extremely grateful to the Des Moines Fire Department for allowing us to have the time we did have. 

As you can imagine, we have many mixed emotions.  We know that we obeyed God when deciding not to adopt and we don't regret the decision at all.  We both have great peace about it.  But to find out that because of this decision, we can't complete our time here and finish the way we wanted to finish is difficult.  

Also, after having so many things move so slowly here for so long, it is a jolt to the system to need to move so quickly all of a sudden. That is one of the reasons the blog has been silent lately!  But if there is one thing we have learned here, it is not to question God and His ways or timing.  This is the time He has ordained for us to return home, even though our plan was early August.  His ways are, without a doubt, better than ours, so although sad, we are trusting in Him.

We want to give our biggest heartfelt thanks to all of you who have followed our journey here in Zambia.  This year was made possible by all of you.  Your prayers, financial support,  and words of encouragement have meant so much to us.  The next few weeks are quite busy for us as we wrap up our work here, transfer responsibilities, pack, say our good-byes, and make arrangements for moving back home, but please be on the lookout for several blog posts to come where we will share in greater detail about all the different ways God used us this year and the things He has taught us.  It wasn't always easy this year to keep up with blogging, especially with power outages and running out of Internet data!  Mickey and I are looking forward to having consistent power and unlimited Internet upon our return. :)  We know there are many things God wants us to share with all of you and we hope you will come back and read them.  Living here and doing ministry here has been one of the toughest, yet most rewarding time in our lives.  We are especially appreciative that because of our time here, God has given Mickey a clear vision about how to continue the work we have started, even while returning home to Iowa.  We will be sharing that with you soon too!!! 

The greatest thing about returning home a bit early will be that we will get to see many of you. soon  This is the longest Mickey and I have been away from some of you and we look forward to many happy reunions.  Just so you know, we will be staying in the Quad Cities with my folks from mid May to the 1st part of June.  Next, we will spend time on the farm with Mickey's parents for a few weeks in June.  Mickey will be a bit busier than me as he will be traveling from both of these places up to Des Moines to work his shifts.  On the 14th of June, we will move to an apartment in Ankeny while we build our home there.  Please let us know if you would like to get together or just stop by my parents or the farm to see us.  We would love it!!!