Home SWEET home

I arrived on my front porch a little after 2 p.m. yesterday.  It was so good to be home.  It was great to see Jeff even though I couldn't get much of a hug since he was on a conference call.   Mojo was able to give me an overly enthusiastic welcome however.  He's definitely grown.  I was thrilled to find him still here considering all his naughty behavior.  Rusty also seemed happy to see me even if he can't show it quite like Mojo.  I had a little bit of time to get unpacked and settled before the girls would be home.  Jeff and the girls did a great job keeping the house in pretty good order.  However, before I was even done unpacking I found myself doing things around the house.

I am extremely blessed to have parents who love me as much as they do.  The prayed with me over the phone before my departure.  They sent me an email message a few hours before I arrived in South Africa.  My mom emailed me again prior to my departure with encouraging words which I know she meant.  However, there was the underlying subtle message of 'call us when you get home!'  Then when I returned home there was a loving message, again which I knew she meant, gently cloaking the message, 'Are you home yet?  You should be home.'  I credit my parents with so much in my life.  I know they have spent more hours praying for my well being than I probably have.  I LOVE you mom & dad!!!!

I was so excited to meet the girls at the bus stop.  We missed each other terribly.  A couple times in Dezi's email messages she said, "I want you home right now."  As they rounded the corner and saw me they ran full speed into my arms.   That was a wonderful moment holding onto my babies who aren't so much babies anymore.  They were very sweet as we were catching up on things…however, I could tell they were scouring the scene to see what might be awaiting them.  Delanie sweetly asked if I had brought other things beside the Rooibos tea she saw piled on the counter.  And of course I did…I can't go on a trip of this magnitude without bringing them some goodies.

It was definitely dinner out last night.  I was fading fast.  After returning home after indulging in pizza we all cleaned up, watched a little MNF, and got ready for bed.  I haven't been to bed before 10 p.m. in a long time.  However, I probably should have tried to stay up a little longer because at 2:45 a.m. my eyes popped open and I was wide awake!  This would have been noon in SA and we would have already put in a half day of volunteering.  I thought about coming downstairs and catching up on email and such, but decided to lie in bed thinking about the trip…and keeping Jeff awake.  When I did get up I checked email and found three of my other teammates were up around 3 a.m. sending messages!!!

I made it to Bible study this morning and sure am glad I did.  We wrapped up the study of David focusing on the 23rd Psalm and it was powerful.  I was also glad to participate in fellowship with the lovely ladies at my table before possibly not seeing them until after the first of the year.  I've allowed myself to kick back this afternoon and not do much, but tomorrow it is back to my normal routine.  However, I will be refocusing and doing all of the things I typically do with more gratitude and appreciation.