Thoughts About Returning to the States

Our airport "Welcome Home" sign

Entering any culture brings with it a number of changes. With the US being our "home culture," the changes have not been too dramatic or stressful. For the most part, quite lovely. Below are thoughts I've jotted down, not in any particular order, about returning home. 

1. It is strange to walk into a room and find the light switch inside, rather than outside.

2. Forgot what flavor of coffee I order when at Starbucks. And, is it a frappuccino or a cappuccino? (I had to Google the spellings!)

3. Tap water is okay to drink.

4. Tipping is now 20% instead of 10%!

5. Customs have self check-in kiosks--I have trouble with them at Wal-mart!

6. Saw my first squirrel yesterday a.m. on my walk; have missed those—can still make the sound—"chiku, chiku." Thanks to my children who gave me a squirrel postcard once, I know how to spell their noise.

7. Delighted to see Queen Anne’s Lace--reminds me of a poem, "Queen Anne, Queen Anne, has washed her lace, all on a summer's day . . . ."

8. Love the level pavement on my walks.

9. We don't have to make our own Half and Half. Thanks, MMEFC for the H&H!

10. Feeling loved by family and friends~thankful for God’s provision of a lovely house nestled in the woods; so quiet, peaceful. Josh and Barry Skinner

11. Seeing acorns~let the collection begin. Already have some devotionals in mind.

12. Saw 3 turkeys in the yard~they were alive, not frozen.

13. Realizing we are in the land of plenty and don’t have to ration our Little Debbie Nutty bars, Wheat Thins, or Ritz crackers.

14. The lightening speed of internet~wow!

15. Tracy pulled out on the wrong side of the road yesterday~phew, God's traveling mercies. Keep the prayers coming!

16. Fantastic customer service~love it!

17. The absence of block wall fences~everything is visible.

18. We don't have to lock our grill gates; no bars on the windows~quite the feeling of freedom. 

We are glad to be back in the States, and we look forward to seeing each and every one of you! Thank you for all your prayers~