Well where do I start…
There is just something about being home, where everyone knows you. I forgot what it was like when you walk in anywhere and know someone. I’ve come to the conclusion that I just know too many people. Although I’ve been told there is no such thing, which is true. Transitioning from “island time” if you will to “real time” has been a challenge. It always is whenever I come home but it’s all part of the experience. Non-stop seeing people has been gratefully joyful.
I spent a week with my grandparents in Michigan, that was a trip and a half. Let me just give you a low-down on the week. Whenever I go visit my grandparents I always have a blast, it’s a week full of laughter, learning and joy. I helped them take all their Christmas decorations down, we went to see ice sculptures with two of my grandparents friends, we went to the show to see True Grit (highly recommend), we went shopping, played cards and watched the snow fall. It was a real great week, I always learn a lot and come away with more wisdom than I went with. I think everyone should spend a week with their grandparents we can all learn a lot from others. Honestly though I can’t wait to be 70 for these reasons, you can say whatever you want and get away with it, you can honk the horn and no one would look at you differently, you can make mistakes and people give you more grace and you can laugh a lot more and enjoy life. It was a great week and I highly recommend everyone to go to your grandparents for a week!
You know that song Famous in a Small Town by Miranda Lambert? Well if you don’t you should listen to it she talks about how everyone in a small town dies famous which is so true! Although I’ve been gone for seven months I can still walk into anywhere and know someone. Which in some small way really makes me feel at home. I went into my old high school to visit some of my teachers. It’s been four years since I graduated which is crazy to think about that I have my five year reunion coming up. The fifth grade class this year were the preschoolers I tutored when I was a senior. I just can’t believe how time has flown. It was a real great visit though, I had the privilege of seeing all my teachers. It was good to catch up with them and see how things have changed and how each of us have grown.
There is just something about being home, visiting non stop to keep yourself busy which is good because then you’re never bored you know! I thoroughly enjoyed my time at home, on the last day I was there (Sunday) My mom came down and surprised me. I was so glad and excited she made the long haul to come and see me! She’s pretty much amazing.
For me this trip really was a healing/ rejuvenating time. I reflected on a lot and I got a different perspective on a bunch of things that had been confusing me. God is so good! To my home church of Martintown, things have changed and some things haven’t which is good. We need to learn how to change because when we stay the same we are not being sharpened. I was really pleased to come and speak it was such an amazing opportunity. I feel so honored to have all of you praying for me. You have no idea how much that means to me. It was a great reminder that although I haven’t been there they still accept me because I’m part of the family. Sure there are new members and some that usually go weren’t there but the love never changes. I enjoyed seeing everyone and you are all in my prayers.
I’m so stoked to be back in the good ole country of New Zealand. It really does feel like home (for now). My trip was really to put it bluntly from hell. They almost didn’t let me leave Chicago because I didn’t have a visa, no matter how many times I would try to explain I can still get in they wouldn’t listen. Lets just say it was a real test of patience and being nice. After a bit of finagling and refraining from strangling someone they let me go through. Then when I got to LAX they almost didn’t let me board the plane for the same reason, after I explained the same thing they were like “whatever” and let me go! So going through customs in Auckland I just had to laugh because the guy I got asked me “is this your first time in NZ” before I could answer he looked through my passport then said “Oh, nope you’re a regular” I asked him if he needed proof of anything and when I was pulling out my papers he said “No, I don’t because this is your 6th time to NZ we trust you” lets just say God really had a hand in this at this point. I was relived and wanted to go back to the states and educate them on how to get into a country without a visa. Good grief is all I have to say.
My good friend Anna picked me up at the airport, I walked into 80 degree weather. It is glorious to be back and see everyone. They are all relived I’m back, I could feel it in the air that there was a *big sigh* that I was back. Truth be told they can’t function without a cook. I’m excited for this new season and what it has to bring. On the plane coming over I couldn’t get comfortable to sleep so I did a lot of praying. Praying that I could be stretched in even more ways, use the tools he has already given me, and to be more encouraging in new unique ways. God bless all of you back home and anywhere else in the world!!!!
