so this is furlough

Furlough: it's a quintessential part of the missionary experience and three months into our first one (first furlough, that is) I still can hardly believe we're back in the United States. I haven't had much free time to sit and just mull over the fact. After all, we left Africa pretty suddenly: this return, in this timing, wasn't part of "the plan" as far as we were concerned. But it was part of God's plan and  perfect timing.

But when I can hardly believe we're back in America, I stop to catch my breath for just a moment and try to process all that has happened in the three months we've been back here. All the people we've seen. All the places we've been. How many conversations we've had. The joys and sorrows shared, the catching up we've been able to do face to face. How blessed we've been by the fellowship, the hugs, the worship and teaching times in so many different churches. How many reminder's of God's faithfulness and goodness. Already, just in the first 12 weeks. Whoa.

So, what has "furlough" been for us so far? It's been waking up to this instead of a humid 90-degree day:

It's been watching out for humongous icicles threatening to fall on our heads (instead of being wary of coconuts catapulting from palm trees above our heads...I guess every climate must have its hazardous falling objects):

It's been catching up on the joy of day-to-day life with family:

It's been happy days with friends, combined with the joy of watching our boys become friends with OUR friends...and our friends' children!

It's been re-connecting with people and churches who've partnered with us so faithfully over the years, and meeting new friends who are thrilled to share the mission of Bible translation with us:

It's been making strawberry pie with Anne!

Oh, and let me not forget my dear husband. He's been loving his intense morning studies (on mornings when we're not otherwise socially engaged) diving into his Hebrew curriculum! That's another of our furlough goals: equipping ourselves even further so that when we get back to Africa we'll be even more ready to tackle with gusto the work that lies ahead:

So there you go. Doesn't furlough look fun? Yes, it is. Many days I feel exhilarated and exhausted at the same time. Most of all, I feel overwhelmed by immense gratitude. Thankful for Jesus and His salvation: without His grace we couldn't live, and would have nothing to live for...and certainly no reason to travel around in this pilgrimish way around the country and world! And thankful for the redeemed, the body of Christ whose hospitality and love we are experiencing every day. It's a good life to be living.