First impressions...Back in the US on break!

Waiting in Davao airport

I'd like to think that I was one of those people who successfully documents their life in a journal. But the truth is, I only sparingly journal in a lined paper notebook sometimes. And I have an odd tendency to skip pages, so it's not even in chronological order. My one effort to be disorganized. ;)

So, since I'm back in the land of my birth I thought I would post some thoughts and reflections I've had recently. The flights...from Davao to Manila (philippine's capital) we then flew to Nagoya, Japan & then to Detroit (our longest one at about 13 hours). Our last flight was from Detroit, Michigan to Philadelphia, PA. We were greeted by Josh's parents who drove us home. Josh was quite the talkative one at that point. I had only cat-napped in our 30+ flight hours home, so I was crashing. I mostly slept the car ride home from Philly to our cozy home in Stevens, PA. It was beyond delightful to slip between the covers of our bed (yeah, I'm odd I suppose, I've been dreaming of this mattress here for awhile...but it's SO cozy). You know, it's the 'little things in life' I am starting to appreciate most. :)

On our flights back home, I couldn't help but be impressed at how much care is given to the elderly people on our flights. They are gently and respectfully ushered via wheelchairs as we are entering the plane and the first ones practically to be taken off the plane at our destination. In Nagoya, Japan the attendants in our gate boarding area would even wheelchair different elderly people from the bathroom (CR) to their seat in the waiting area. I can't help but feel a sense of joy that in our crazy, fast-paced & sometimes self-absorbed lives we haven't fully lost the sense of duty & respect that our elders deserve.

My meal on Delta's flight from Nagoya to Detroit.

I got the chance to see my mom, dad & brothers the night we came back. I've got to still see my sisters & my one sister's kids. But, it was such a blessing to see familiar, loving faces!

Since being back, I keep experiencing this weird & familiar feeling all at the same time. Familiar because well, everything here is that...kinda like unpacking childhood toys or revisiting your elementary school. It's been awhile, but the memories and things come back to you. Weird because well...when you've adjusted to another place & then come back...it sorta feels like 'time stood still' even though when you see people you know it hasn't.

I went for a short walk around 6AM yesterday (yes, feel free to laugh...I never willingly wake up that early...ahh the joys of jet-lag & 12hour time difference). I kinda feel like I've got this giddy, goofy grin that is pasted on my face, as I'm revisiting familiar places. I smiled at the cornfields, as I walked by my old high school, when I walked by farms, I even grinned at the cows munching on the grass in a field nearby. I sorta contemplated giving the cows a hug, but I figured the barbed wire is there for a reason. :)

Josh's food on Delta's flight from Nagoya to Detroit.

When we were in Detroit waiting to board our flight home, Josh and I couldn't help but notice how many white people there were. It honestly, just felt quite weird. I'm used to being the minority, not the majority. I kinda forgot all the shapes, size & faces they come in.

Apparently, Josh and I lost weight. Josh especially. About 1st 2 minutes in chatting with friends & family, he gets asked if he lost weight. I didn't see it at first, then I felt guilty sorta. Has my husband been 'wasting away' & I've been so blinded by my busyness to miss it? But now, I see it..he def. is thinner overall. Can't say any weight changes have been intentional, especially on my end, but it's interesting to note.

Our second day back, Josh, Bev (Josh's mom) & I headed into Lancaster to get Josh's driver's license replaced. We'd lost his wallet in a taxi in the Philippines many months back & needed his license replaced. Well, the driver's center we went to was just next door to Goodwill. So, I opted to browse around there, instead of waiting. To date, I believe this was one of the most rewarding shopping trips ever. I almost cried right there in Goodwill, (yes, yes chuckle if you will...) but after living 12 months in a nation predominantly size 0, 2, & 4...it feel refreshing to find cute, hip & CHEAP clothes in my large/x-large profile. God def. blessed me on that trip to find shirts that are lightweight and modest. How blessed I am to have a Father, who will clothe me even better than the sparrows He cares for so deeply.

Josh & I got the chance to eat at one very wonderful, PA-dutch cooking eatery nestled within Weaver Markets grocery. It's the store where Josh & I met, the eatery where I worked thru high school & nursing school and the hang-out/passing by locale for many familiar faces. We had breakfast there, and I ordered the muffin deluxe. A yummy sandwich consisting of a scrambled egg with a slice of American cheese that oozes between the yellow eggy folds, perched atop a slice of Canadian bacon all housed on an english muffin. It's SO yummy...followed up by some deep-fried rippled potatoe round dipped in ketchup.

I ate my first PA-grown tomato for breakfast on Tues. Actually, we are so spoiled during our break here as Josh's parents have a garden in their backyard. We've got tomatoes, summer squash, zucchini, eggplant, basil & parsley... coming out of our ears! :) I can't seem to get enough... :)

Apparently, some of this 'jet-lag' hit me full force. I laid down to nap around 4ish pm & slept straight thru till around 1am today. I'm up writing this blog post at 3:25 am...a very well-rested lady. :)

I'm getting better at trying to 'summarize' 12 months of my life (some of the most stretching, hard, but overwhelming rewarding months of our life). It's just hard because how does one capture the essence of a culture & people that has captivated my heart & passion in just one 10min conversation? I don't know, but I'm trying. I want people to learn that the Philippines, although far from perfect is wonderful. I miss the friendly smiles of random passer-bys and being politely greeted, "Hello ma'am" and "Thank you for coming, come again" as I enter & leave a store.

Well that's all I can think of for now. I am truly grateful for this 'season' of rest/renewal & revisiting of friends & family. God's hand is truly guiding our path here & overseeing all our plans. I am thankful I am not called to be in charge...only to be faithful.

Thanks for reading. :)