During our furlough in the U.S., we have rediscovered God as a Father who not only provides for what is needed but also gives His children things they could very well live without, just for the joy of it. Speaking of children, that is exactly how we felt during the past few months.

Simple things, like resealable bags of frozen fruit, have brought a smile to my face. How convenient!

We also cannot help but marvel at the civilized drivers and the sane traffic. It took a month and a half until we heard the first honk. It was ours!

The very first thing our children did when we arrived was run barefoot on the grass. And for the first time, I watched them squeal with excitement and let them be without worrying about broken glass, rusty nails, or little surprises left by stray dogs.

I chuckled when I heard our son exclaim, “Mommy, look, we can stomp in this house! There is no one living under us!”

When Chris cheerfully announced we could do whatever I wanted for my birthday, I chose to go to Costco. I am pretty sure I might have shed a tear or two just looking at the aisles.

We have eaten our weight in creamy avocados and crispy lettuce. Where we come from, it is precisely the other way around. We have also overdosed on meat alternatives that are absolutely unheard of in our adoptive, meat-loving country.

There are so many little joys every day: people patiently waiting in line and being considerate of others, random strangers starting conversations, delivery to your door, farmers’ markets, pipe organs at church, Sabbath School, Thanksgiving Day, clean air, quiet nights, hummingbirds, and dinner with friends. I could go on for a while!
As we prepare to return to Georgia after this much-needed change of scenery, we feel happy for being able to call so many places home. Although it might look slightly different, there is a list of blessings waiting for us there, too. We appreciate your prayers as we navigate this significant change once again.

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