Back in the swing of things...

Ya...I know, it's been almost a month since I updated this blog. You know one of the toughest things when returning from a missions trip is re-acclimating back into your native lifestyle. I have come to appreciate so many things....like western toilets and toilet paper, a variety of any type of food, structured traffic....and so on and so forth. So many of these things we take for granted here in the US. I truly believe that every young person between the ages of 15 and 20 need to go live for one month in a 3rd world country. It is a life changing experience. You begin to see the things that really DON'T matter. You see people who have an income less than your car payment and they are content. You see people who aren't afraid to walk a few miles to work and are extremely thankful they have a job. You see where a family of five can make everyone fit on a motorcycle and go to church....while we complain that we cannot go because it's raining! Americans are truly spoiled. I am at the top of that list. I saw people who had a heart of prayer and a love for God that would make us "christians" be put to shame. I loved the warmth and hospitality of the Brazilians and the sweetness of the Indians. I was reflecting back to a couple of things on my trip...one was at my friends Sam and Reena. They have a little girl named Jessica who is the same age as my grandaughter Zarina. Sam and Reena live in a small one bedroom apartment in Bangalore. Jessica quickly adopted me...and Sam and Reena welcomed me with open arms. I spent a nite with them in this lovely little place...they gave me and Jessi the bedroom while Reena took the couch and Sam took the floor. Now how many of us Americans would do that? They apologized for having so little...but I felt so at home with them. They invited some collegues from work to come over for a small bible study. They always had tea or coffee to offer everyone. It was such a blessing! Then.....in Brazil I went to the home of my future husband...this too was a small little home decorated with lovely colors of Brazil. My future mother-in-law was so concerned because their home was so simple. Once I arrived...I sensed the warmth and welcome of each family member. It was a beautiful experience! I loved the simplicity of everything. Sometimes we get so caught up in "things" that we forget what it is like just to relax and enjoy family. So nice!

So, like I said, it's difficult to get back into the swing of everything, and even though I will eventually, I pray that I never become complacent with the things that I have and that I will thank God daily for all his provisions to me. I know that all the things that I have can be taken in an instant......and life is short. May you too always be thankful for what you have.