A Year and A Day

A year, since we boarded a plane back to the beauty of the Arizonan desert. A year filled with boys adjusting to a culture they claimed, but never knew. A year of God's faithfulness and refreshment for our missionary family returning. A year of falling more in love with Jesus.

A year of counting thanks and remembering to say gracias to my Abba who made it all possible. (#62-85)

*His miraculous provision for the home of my dreams when we arrived

*furniture, dishes, all of the basics given with love by many hands

*swimming pools and little boys learning to swim

*backyards with grass and swingsets

*bathtubs with hot, running water (will never take them for granted)

*garbage pick up and recycling

*little boys racing and waving as the trash trucks scour the neighborhood

*crossing the line from hope to faith

*a job provided to meet our needs

*being quick to obey His leading and reaping His blessings.

*new friends who speak 'only English' as my boys quickly noticed

*flushing toilets, oh the joy, enough said.

*ability to flush the toilet paper too (squeals of delight)

*learning the power of His Word

*baseball games ... and every other sport as my boys dive into this culture

*Christmas tree lights and wrapping paper

*birthday parties celebrated with family after many years without

* 4th of July celebrations, the first for my youngest

*4 generations seated around a table

*learning the happy dance with my family gathered in giggles

*simply saying a washer and dryer! (no more rainforest line dry)

*Thanksgiving with a real turkey, lots of mashed potatoes and apple pie

*amigas, my pink polka dots of iron, staying connected across the miles

*a heartbeat for the nations still beating strong in my own.