Missed but Not Forgotten :)

  It is weird being back in the states and going about the seemingly normal things and activities. I put together a box to send back to Simon, Pam and the kids. As my Mom and I were filling it with ranch dressing packets, m&ms, starburst, and chocolate chips, I told my mom several stories about them and realized how blessed I was to spend a month with this family I met two years ago in the Middle East.

  This is Simon, Pam, Joshua, and Zara. I stayed with them two and a half weeks in Kampala at the beginning of my trip and then the last weekend before heading home. I met this family while in Dubai working at a guest house in 2010. Amazing family. They were there three of the four weeks I worked and we got to be good friends. Pam and I have kept in contact and became close friends over the past two years. She asked me to come out now and then. :) I was talking with her on facebook in November when we started discussing the possibility of me joining them for this summer. By God's direction, I did join them and spent a month with them and then a month with on of their good friends. This is such an amazing family!

   After boxing up the package for Simon and Pam, I addressed a box to Luan's mom with a gift from Luan. I stayed with George and Luan a little over a month and they too are awesome. I got an email from Luan just this past Friday asking how the trip back went, accompanied by the endearing phrase, "sister". Also she asked how my folks were, and if they were glad I was finally home. She then said they missed me much but were managing as always. She is just so much fun. George is wonderful, we watched a movie or tv show every night (when we had power) till he went to bed. It was simple but fun...and I know he is probably missing my "Called it!" remarks as much as I miss him making fun of me. :) Luan and I had good conversations and would make comments to each other...making fun of the other...and many times now while writing, I think of her.

    I am so thankful I had the opportunity to live with these two missionary couples and do ministry alongside them. I pray God blesses them in their diligence and heart for service and that He guides them in all their steps.