One Year On / A Friend!

Exactly one year and two days ago we arrived weary, confused, and cold in a strange country that was gray and rainy and impossible (at that time) for us to understand. My, how things have changed. God's grace got us through those first very, very rough weeks and then the rough couple of months that followed. And here we are. A year later and I can be grateful that:

• I no longer go to bed early with headaches from brain-strain. Now I just stay up too late.
• We rarely need to throw out scary 'adventurous' foods anymore.
• This is home (apologies to offended family members).
• We have successfully, though not without hilarity, travelled with our kids.
• We have many friends, a busy social life, and a good church.
• I can have a simple conversation with my neighbors, and I even like them.
• My kids are healthy, happy, and humbling (to me).

Honestly, we love having visitors from the States. Please. Come visit us. Our rules are simple. You must stop by, use us for a base, or let us meet you for a day or two at least. BUT you must also venture forth on your own and explore this very interesting area of the world. Tough love. My old friend Deb came this week after hanging out with her husband (then he left to join his dad). Kevin was gone so it was us girls and the kids. We had a good visit and I really enjoyed having a girlfriend around to talk to. We even went to Luxembourg for a day. Then Kevin came back from Iowa and brought me lots of goodies. What was I most excited to see? Vanilla. As in vanilla extract for baking. Pathetic, but thrills come cheap when you're desperate for good old American basics.