Life At Home

For those of you still reading my blog...sorry for the silence. I've been wanting to sit down and write for a few days now but haven't felt like it's been the right time.  If I wait a little longer I'll have more to say...well I figured I might as well just start.

My first week at home was kind of a blur.  Jim and Maria were here on Wednesday night/ Thursday en route to Myrtle Beach for vacation.  Grammy was also here visiting for a few weeks.  There was a young group invite my first weekend home and Tuesday was my first day back at my part time job at Homestead.

Then, last Wednesday Mom flew with Grammy back to California.  Grammy had been in the Midwest since early March and at our house for a few weeks and so when she left, Mom went along for 6 days.  That means that this past week I have been 'Mom'.  Okay, not really.  I couldn't give myself such a title synonymous to 'Wonderwoman' when I do not at all deserve it.  But I've been getting the kids ready for school, doing some school runs, cooking supper, cleaning, and had a laundry day.  Since I'm only working part time this is all very doable.  But every time Mom leaves I'm reminded of how much she does that us kids take for granted!

The boys will probably be glad when Mom's back since I like to cook a variety of meals.  Instead of the traditional meat and potatoes, I prefer dishes with more veggies and rice.  One of my brothers asked if I had to put veggies in everything.  *Sigh*  Cooking for a family of differing tastes can take some of the fun out of cooking.  But I have still been enjoying it :) Thanks to Hannah teaching us how to make cinnamon rolls, I got a better feel for making yeast bread and have had a few successful encounters with it which is quite exciting.

Recently I was wondering if I need to be planting my garden.  After all, it's been sunny and rainy. Perfect conditions for growing those little sprouts.  Then today it snowed.  It was so cold the wipers on my car were frozen to the windshield so I had to use my sister's car to run the kids to Aunt Beckie's for carpooling.  Guess my question got answered.  I should probably wait just a little longer. ;-)

So that's a quick summary of what I've been 'up to'.  As far as the deeper things...

Being gone for 10 weeks probably sounds like no big deal, but coming back to life in Indiana has been an adjustment.  In my few weeks back in the States, I've realized that while it's great to be home, things will never be the same as before I went to Mexico.  Time brings change and those ten weeks were no exception.  I can only trust that these changes are part of God's perfect plan.

Some of you are probably wondering if I'll be going back to Mexico to teach English classes.  And my answer: I don't know.  But as of this fall, my plan is to move to California and live with my grandma.  I'm looking forward to my time there although I'm not sure how long I'll be there.  Maybe six months, maybe a year, maybe shorter or longer?  We'll see how the Lord leads!  So, as of this year I'm not going back to teach in Mexico, but God has not necessarily closed that door.  I'm getting a better understanding of walking by faith :)

Oh, I just heard the car doors.  Mom's home!!

Have a great week, everybody.

Mexico: Goodbye

Today I go home.  There's some real mixed emotions going on right now...

There were times when I probably would've just hopped on the next plane to the US and left the hard times behind.  But God is reminding me of His faithfulness and I can have a deeper appreciation for how much this experience has grown me.  Even though my trip is over, I have been given much to think about in the coming weeks, months, even years.

In this past week the Lord has been working in my heart.  I didn't want to leave with an attitude of 'just get me outta here!' because then I'd be running away from the problem instead of facing it.  Also, since the problem was mostly me, I'd be running away from myself and that wouldn't work out too well.  Within this past week, I've felt more peace with myself and the Lord about the future.

These past few days have been kinda bittersweet as final goodbyes have been said.  There have been too many to list them all, but here are a few examples.  While I won't miss sitting in the classrooms, I will definitely miss the kids.  While I won't miss the language barrier at church functions, I will definitely miss the church family here.  In addition to the people, I will miss the mountains, the yummy street food, and 'Mexican life', like four people zooming down the road on a moped.

There are still some goodbyes hanging over my head that I'm not looking forward to.  I've said farewell to Marshall but I have yet to say goodbye to Jan.  They have taken such good care of me!  Grant, Hannah, and Ivory will be taking me to the airport this morning and saying goodbye to a couple that has so patiently listened to me work through my struggles and gone out of their way for my benefit will not be easy.  Saying goodbye to Ivory who has been my 'little comfort' will also be hard.  I'm really really going to miss them!

So Mexico, goodbye.  Only the Lord knows when I'll see you again.  Friends and family in the Midwest, hope to see you soon!