Winding down

With only 3 1/2 weeks left in the States, we are starting to wind down.  I use that term very loosely.  We are going to be traveling up until the last week before we leave, giving us one week to pack and prepare to return to our home in Tanzania.  

         This summer has had many memorable experiences.  Now, we begin to prepare mentally, and logistically for the return to Africa. 

At Lincoln's Memorial, Washington, DC

In front of the Ark Encounter, near Cincinnati, OH 

The Things We Leave Behind

It seems like every trip we make, I leave something behind.

       -a Kindle
       -a jacket
       -a necklace
       -a sock
       -underwear
     
The more trips we make, it seems like I leave more things behind!  No matter how carefully I check the room, house, or hotel before we leave, it seems like I am always leaving something behind.

             This can also be taken symbolically.
 A little bit of me is left behind at each place we visit.  With every church, family member and friend, I feel like a part of my heart is left behind with them as we visit them and then move on.

                We are so blessed to have so many people who love us, and it is hard to not be able to see them very often.   Everywhere we visit, I wish we had more time to stay and visit.  It never feels like enough time.   I wish we had weeks to spend with everyone, but we are lucky to have one day sometimes.

      If we haven't been able to see you, or if our time with you seemed too brief, we feel you!!  Just wish we had more time.

                 We head back to Tanzania in 6 weeks and most of that time is pretty heavily scheduled with trips (Nebraska; southern Indiana; Cincinnati; St. Louis; Anna, IL; McLeansboro, IL; Jackson, TN; Fairfield, IL; Crown Point, IN; and Dyer, IN).  

We are already on the "wrap-up" mode of this home assignment, and getting geared up to our return to Tanzania!  Blessings!