2 Weeks

We've been in America for 2 weeks. We're over jet lag, and India seems so far away. We've had several confirmations in the past two weeks from the Father that we did the right thing, which is very comforting since leaving India was the hardest thing we ever did. I'll share two of those confirmations now.

Several days ago, I was contacted by a cousin I don't talk to very often. My Grandfather had suddenly and unexpectedly passed away. My Grandparents live in Washington state, along with most of my other family. I felt a very strong need to be there with my Grandma, as we are very close. What a gift from God that we are in the States and I can go to Washington to be with my family! I will leave early next week as the funeral will be next Thursday.

Catharine has been struggling with horrible skin problems. She was diagnosed with Eczema before we left the States, but the past two months, her skin has been the worst we've ever seen. She was even losing hair. We had her tested for a genetic disorder because her conditions were so bad. We were hoping to have her seen very quickly when we returned to Alabama because she was suffering and seemed to be getting worse. By God's grace, she got an appointment for this past week and saw the only pediatric dermatologist in the southeast! This doctor was amazing, and we had the best experience we've ever had at a doctor's office. We are on day 3 of medications and Catharine's skin already looks so much better. She is on her way to recovery, and we are so thankful.

We've had a great two weeks spending time with family and friends and look forward to more of that in the coming days. We are planning on moving to Wake Forest, NC for Justin to resume seminary classes in November. We are hoping to rent a house (but are on the seminary housing list, just in case), and Justin is still job hunting. I'm hoping to start my LPN degree next year, and Madelyn will start Kindergarten! Yay!

We miss India, mostly for the relationships we had there. We haven't had terrible re-entering culture shock encounters. I've been thankful for quick food options, clean water, constant power and Internet, etc., you know, the little things.

Have I mentioned that our girls are really happy?

Cousins

Back

In the mix of jet lag and extreme exhaustion, I've been trying to reflect on the past two weeks of our lives. No doubt, things felt as if they were happening very slowly, but they didn't. In lightening speed, we were landing in Birmingham. Our final days in India were filled with precious good-byes and quality time with friends. It was a good ending.

We flew from Delhi to Dubai and were in awe of all the wonderful things waiting for us in the Dubai airport, like Burger King and Starbucks. Our kids did pretty well on the trip, such travelers they've begun. Our 16 hour flight from Dubai to Houston, TX was long and sometimes hard. Elizabeth is 18 months old, and have you tried strapping your 18 month old to you for a stretch of 16 hours? She wasn't a fan, but did sleep for a combined few hours. The attendants on the plane were incredible and cared for my kids well. When we got to Houston, we were standing in the customs line when Madelyn made the observation that she didn't see very many "brown skin" people. There were a few Indian US citizens in line, and that was sweet, as my kids have known nothing but Indians for about a year. Catharine, being 3, has some memories of America, but India has been her home for long enough that everything in America is new to her. We saw a Chili's and excitedly sat down for some long anticipated chips and salsa, oh, and buffalo wings :) While waiting in the terminal for our flight, we were surrounded by Alabamians headed to Birmingham. That felt so normal to us. Southern drawls, easily made conversations. And then on that short flight, Elizabeth and I were both so tired that we fell asleep before takeoff and an hour and a half later woke up as we were landing!

We've been home for 3 days. It feels like we left India a very long time ago. We talk about it a lot, we think about it a lot, and we pray for the people there, a lot. I do have to say though, we are at peace. We are very confident that the decision we made was the right one. I will need to remind myself of this later on, I know that. But, as this was the hardest thing we've ever done, it was the right thing to do.

In the upcoming weeks, Catharine HAS to be seen by some kind of specialists. We think her genetic testing was negative, which is good, but she needs help. Her skin is just coming off. Her hair is thinning still. So, we need to get her help, quickly.

We are praying specifically for the following logistical things:

1. We need a 5 passenger car (can I hope for a van?)
2. We need a place to live and would love to rent a house instead of seminary apartment
3. Justin needs a job
4. We need to move to Wake Forest, at some point this fall
5. We need to make a trip to Washington State to visit my family, before we settle into routine in NC
6. Chandra may start nursing school in the spring

Please continue to lift up our friends in India who are working hard and sacrificing much. If you would like to continue supporting where we were and what we are doing, privately contact me and I can tell you how to do that.

Truly appreciate you.

Last Post from India

We are about to go from being very obvious white faces in the crowd, to just some more people. In a few short hours, we will no longer be immersed in brown skin and that is so weird. For the past 11 months we have gotten a lot of attention anywhere we went. Our kids have been pinched and squeezed, photoed, etc.

We got some last minute tickets to Birmingham today and will be flying out at 4 am, Indian time. Our trip will last over 30 hours, over 20 of those are flying hours. I will have Elizabeth strapped to me in the Ergo, and that should be interesting.

The past week has been one of many sad goodbyes. We've all cried a lot. We've hugged a lot. We've received sweet gifts from Indian neighbors and friends, and passed some out ourselves. We really felt loved. We said some good-byes to people that we will never see again, and that is extremely painful, which I already shared.

On the other side of the world, we look forward to the loving arms of family waiting at the airport. Our girls will get in car seats (praise the LORD!) and we will snooze on a 2 hour drive to Justin's parents' house. Then, we will crash for a few days!

We appreciate your prayers as we travel. We will update you soon. Thank you for your kind notes and words. You've been great to us.

India, we will miss you. You have imprinted our hearts forever with your people who are precious. We hope to see you again in the near future.

America, we look forward to family and friends, the food you offer, and some cultural things we appreciate. But, we will be the same after tasting life in India.

Much love...