August 2010
4 posts
One Step Closer
Tonight my husband walked in on me finally unpacking my bag. He was delighted. I was almost in tears. We have been without some key pieces of furniture in our bedroom (still are in fact), but we just gave the dresser a much needed make over. Now that that process is complete I can fill it’s empty drawers with the remnants that have been lurking in my suitcase these last 7 weeks. Yes, I...
Pedicures & Life's Mysteries
I’ve made it almost a full year without a pedicure. I remember when I got my last one vividly because it was the day before (or was it the day of? Ok, maybe not so vividly) my sister-in-law got married. It was a big to do and so much fun to all go and get done up before the wedding. Then we left on our year long adventure a few days later. Just in case you are wondering, a Nordstrom pedicure...
Update on Juan
For those of you following our journey, you may remember our friend Juan in Nicaragua. He has a severe infection in the bone of his leg from a childhood surgery. He has a joyful contagious attitude toward life; full of thanksgiving while struggling in daily life.
God directed us along with some friends in Granada, Nicaragua to do something to help. It’s really been us who have been...
The Transition Continues
Today I tried to light our stove…again. I didn’t even think about it. I know old habits die hard. I was shocked as the flames jumped up before I even lit the match. Oh yeah. We are home. Target used to be one of my favorite places on the planet. Now I just want to get in and get out. I’m in a foul mood the whole time and leave utterly exhausted. I peeked in an In-Style (which...
July 2010
40 posts
Re-Entry
I know. We haven’t written anything in a while. We have been back in the States for two weeks and back in Costa Mesa for one week now. It is really tough trying to negotiate this “new” place. This place that seems familiar and yet feels totally foreign. It felt so normal to melt into and live in a third word country and culture. To walk everywhere. To live without. To take time...
Home
Severe culture shock (except for Caleb who is so excited to be reunited with the old and familiar.) Our home…vaguely homelike. Dear friends and family we love. Christmas cards in July. Bjorn again. No Internet (modem died a couple days before we got here). Washer blew up. Need new couches…won’t be in for 6-8 weeks. Good thing we have practice in “living without” and “waiting”. Memories of people...
We are coming home! I miss...
…the smell of the heat that radiates off the fields of golden grass in the foothills before we ascend the mountain to Hume and the smell of pine mixed with manzanita.
…the salty fog tinged air at our home in the evenings that sofly kisses my face.
…long road trips.
…the warm and comforting “clean” smell of clothes pulled from the dryer even if they burn my...
WHY?
So, I was up at 4:30 this morning. Too early again. No matter how tired we are, none of us can sleep past 6 in the morning. It is very bothersome, especially since Tay and I are sick (with only colds mind you, nothing unmanageable).
My mind is reeling right now. Strange dreams about being home. Disorienting. Disoriented. My brain is attempting to process without me and it feels very strange. It...
The End
I haven’t posted anything on the blog for this trip, but I really think you should know this. Before this trip began I wanted it to be over, but now I think it’s simply the best thing that happened to me in my entire life. Before I went on the trip I didn’t have a very strong bond with God. I basicly only thought of Him when I went to church and when we had conversations about Him. But in...
Stuff You Don't Know Because I Haven't Told You...
(aka the “bits and pieces” blog post comprised of blogs too short to stand on their own)
Our kids were introduced to American Idol, MTV Cribs, Pimp My Ride, and the Oprah show in Ethiopia since one of us was sick most of the time we were there. That and they memorized Arabic TV commercials. Scary.
I once saw a goat surfing on a bus, not even tied down, in Ethiopia. No joke.
The best...
The Wall
We have officially hit our wall. It is almost 8pm Minnesota time, but almost 2am London time. We get to board in a half an hour. Then 4 more hours of flying. Beds in San Francisco will never have felt this good!
-Dione
Home Already?
Going home just seems wrong. We’re moving back into our house, not another apartment but the house I know and love so well. After traveling for so long it seems surreal to finally be heading back to the States since the last time we were in the US was New York (in January). It always felt far away when we talked about it, but now it’s finally happening. We are on our flight to San Francisco and...
Morning Ramblings
So we just put on two stove-top espresso pots. One is straightup espresso for Dione and I and one is cappuccino for the kids. It all began with the 14 cent macchiatos in Ethiopia and graduated to the amazing Italian coffee bars on every corner.
Eden and I were sitting out on the balcony of our apartment watching the fair of street vendors below sewing up “love lamby” once again....
Sunday Morning in Paris
After a grey and rainy day yesterday, that mercifully gave us a break from the 98 degree heat, today is sparkling new and fresh. The air is crisp. The sky blue. The street market beneath our apartment is in full swing. Delicious smells wafting through our windows. And the bells are resounding their endless joy throughout the city. I wish you could hear them. Today is our last day in Paris....
How can the bread be this good?
Caleb woke up this morning and one of the first things he said was “Can I have my own baguette today?” We all fell in love with the food in Italy, but the fresh made daily crusty outside soft middle just can’t be beat. Then wait till you add cheese (or the butter)! I’m hungry; gotta go find a bagette.
-Troy
June 2010
115 posts
