30 June, 2008

Goodbye

Seems that goodbyes have been a large part of our lives this month.

Yesterday morning my grandmother passed away.
The girls and I are making a very quick trip to the east side of the state to say goodbye.

The Checklist





1- Job for Jon found. He loves it.

2- Offer on a house was accepted. We will be living in Pleasant View, TN. (Isn't that a sweet name for a town?) Expect to close and move in within a few weeks.

3- Job for Julie-hope to hear news this week.

4- Vehicle for Jon found. Will purchase soon. Is a Jeep a family car? Apparently so.

5- Vehicle for Julie- soon. Decided a Lincoln Navigator was just too much of a gas guzzler, but don't care for the body shape of a Pinto...hope to find one somewhere in between, but will probably be closer to the Pinto! :)

6- Trip to Charlotte for medical testing and debriefing- done.

7- Trip to Memphis- SO enjoyed the fellowship of new and old friends.

8 - is the number of different beds we've slept in this month.

Aren't you glad to be back?


One month ago we were still in Jos.

The one statement (with a question attached) I hear most often is: "I bet you are so glad to be back, aren't you?" I think the first few times I was asked this I looked like a deer in headlights. I know that I am expected to say, "YES!" but that isn't always true. Many days, more often than not, I am ready to go back home, to Jos. Then I am reminded that this is to be home now, and the adjustments are more difficult than I thought.

Don't get me wrong, I love all of the perks of the States:
constant electricity
clean tap water
a never ending variety of food
friendships rekindled
close to family
ease of driving

But, I also miss so much. Such as,
Sarah, my sweet Nigerian sister
glass bottled cokes
fruits that were so sweet
adventures at every turn
busyness of life
pounded yam and red stew
contentment with little
and most of all, dear friends.

Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.