This furlough, our first, has not been one for the weak. To be fair, we didn’t return to the States under normal circumstances, taking the six to nine months recommended to prep before launching back to our home country. Because we needed to return to be with Gabe’s father, we only took about 30 days to make our decision and prepare.

As we arrived in the U.S., sadness and grief overcame us in saying goodbye to Gabe’s dad before he passed. Now a month and a half later, and halfway through our furlough, we find ourselves adjusting to life back in the U.S.

Life here is busy but there are also so many more conveniences compared to life in Croatia. The private school we enrolled our children in here is so accommodating. They have been great. Of course, our minds toggle back and forth, contrasting our struggles in enrolling our children in the Croatian school system as compared to the school in Florida. Everything seems easier here. Family, friends and our church community support us so much. Some of our closest friends live just a quick drive from our current home. Yet we feel the call back to Croatia.

As I was talking with one of my friends here, she shared how much she loves having us back. I expressed to her how hard it is to have our hearts in two places. We love being in Florida with our wonderful community, family and friends, but what keeps us going back to Croatia is our love for Jesus. With tears in my eyes, I shared how we long to be with Jesus in heaven and how we want to see all the friends we have made here on earth in Heaven with us. As we continue to show the love of Christ through our friendships, that may just be enough. At that moment, my friend understood why we felt the tug to go back.

Although life in Florida is wonderful and filled with so many people we love, we count the days until we return to Croatia, our second home, as we prepare ourselves and others for heaven, our final home.

• Twitter