We have been in the United States for almost two weeks now and it seems like jet lag is finally wearing off. The culture shock has not been as bad as I thought it might be and I am thankful that God has eased our transition back into the world of WalMart, Target and Chick-Fil-A!
The girls are enjoying every minute, I think. They have been spending every minute they can with our dear friends, the Hoods, and eating every bit of junk food that they can get their hands on! It is so good to see them just soaking up time with friends and family. Maggie, Ellie and I were able to go on a field trip to the Turkey Creek Nature Preserve with the Shelby Crossing Christian School group. Katie has gone to Little Rock with Nana and Bill and is enjoying time there with them and with her dog, Angel. We will meet up with them, my sisters and most of my extended family for Thanksgiving at the beach.
We are planning time in Arkansas after Thanksgiving, and in Illinois for Christmas with Steve's sisters and family. The girls are looking forward to snow and maybe a white Christmas! After two years of Christmas with temperatures over 100º, I must admit it will seem much more like "christmas" with snow than with swimming. And being with family is so sweet and a treasure we have not had in so long. It will be so difficult to have Christmas without Steve's mom and Joe, his brother-in-law. It is still so hard to believe that they are gone and we will be forced to deal with some of that loss and grief while we are there. Please pray for the girls, and Steve and me too, as we try to handle the emotions that are sure to overwhelm us when we get there and realize that Dorothy and Joe really are gone.
We are anxious to see all of you who are so important to us while we are here. Please contact us via email or facebook and let us know how we can see you. An important part of this visit is to try to meet with all of our supporters and fill you in on our ministry the last couple of years and ask for continued prayer and financial support since we have extended our time past our original commitment of two years. Please pray with us that we will be able to continue to receive enough support to be able to return to Swaziland. We are so thankful for the opportunity to be able to be involved in the ministry in Swaziland and to you all for your love and support of us while we work there.
