Homecoming

We have been back in MI since last Wednesday. I think we are all adjusted to the time change and over jet lag. We saw many of our family members at the airport, had a dinner with some college friends on Saturday and went to Haven church on Sunday, so we have seen a lot of people we love in a very short time period. It feels like a dream in so many ways. When we left in 2010, I remember thinking that it was going to be FOREVER till we would see our loved ones again. The first few months seemed to confirm that feeling, but shortly after that, time began to fly. We got busier and more involved at Beautiful Gate. I began teaching Sunday School at church and we began to make friends in the community. I was no longer counting days till I got home and began living.

Now we are home. I want to share a little from my kid's perspective. Elijah has been a bit more quiet and serious since we left Lesotho. I noticed it in Europe, but it was even worse yesterday and today. I pulled him aside and asked if he would tell me what was going through his mind. He was reluctant and then he suddenly burst out that he was stressed. I did not know a 9 year old got stressed so I asked him to enlighten me. He said he feels overwhelmed. There are so many choices and options that he does not know what to choose. The grocery store freaked him out because it was the size of 4 football fields in his mind and his grandparents offered him the choice of any cereal he would like to try and he felt overwhelmed. I completely understand his thoughts and feelings and I really praise God for a chance for Elijah to share his heart with me so we can go through this time together. I imagine this is a small piece of what is to come when we move home for good.

Mercy does not remember Michigan. She has no memory of all the places we have taken her, our old house, her grandparents house, or parks we have played at. Everything is new and exciting for her because she has heard us talking about these places and now she has seen them herself. She too told me that she was so surprised by the size of the grocery store here (unlike her brother who felt overwhelmed, I think she liked it because there are lots of toy options, hahaha). I asked Mercy if she likes it here and she said yes she does like it here.

Today marked a long awaited day for all 3 of my kids but especially Faith. Today, as I write this, there are 5 kids sleeping in a giant homemade fort in the room next to me. My 3 kids and my 2 nieces have been planning this night for 2 1/2 years. They used to Skype and play together and then make plans for that they would do when they finally saw each other again. Today they played, tickled, laughed, teased, played baseball, ate, read, did crafts, and so much more and had THE BEST DAY EVER (I believe that is what one of them called it). I thank God that He orchestrated such a wonderful day for my kids where they could feel normal and have fun and by the end of the day, Elijah seemed himself again, not that all is perfectly well, but friends sure do help.