There's no place like home!

Nicole took this pretty sunset shot above the clouds on our plane ride home.

Yes, we arrived in our driveway this morning (Tuesday, 2/24) at 1:15 AM! The past 48 hours have been a blur, and the trip is beginning to feel like a dream!

Monday, I took the girls around the local block after breakfast to enjoy a fresh quesito (puff pastry with cream cheese center) at the bakery, and then they tried a mixed fruit batida (kind of like a smoothie) at the fruit market. Mark was craving fresh pineapple, and we were down to our last few hours to purchase one for him. After that quick trip, Nicole and Morgan went back to work in the Bible Correspondence School, and Lauren and I began to pack up before helping cut printed papers into postcards for another Sharathon mailer. Mark was very busy and dirty moving trash out of the 3rd floor. I think a renter had moved out of the office building and left a lot of stuff behind.

Nita bought us yummy rice & beans with chicken lunches again, and we all enjoyed the fresh pineapple that Wanda and Jan had cut up for us. They even baked Mark's birthday cake and let Nicole frost it for lunch. I had meant to do that, but my time was slipping away from me. None of us were anxious to leave, yet we have lots of pets that require our return!

After lunch, it was a scramble to continue to pack up all of our souvenirs and shells for the long journey home. Nita took us before 2pm to make our 4:30 flight. We finally boarded the plane, only to have to sit on it for over 2 more hours while they investigated a hydraulic problem with one of our engines! It was very frustrating as I had only packed enough snacks/supper for the 5 hour flight home and not 7 hours! I knew we were missing out of 2 hours of sleep when we finally got home. But in the midst of that huge inconvenience and wondering if we should trust the plane, we knew that we could trust God to see us through to His plan. It was a relief to touch down at O'Hare and get off that plane!

We had to catch a hotel shuttle to pick up the van, and then we could finally start the 2 hour drive home. Morgan was especially tired, and all three fell quickly asleep. I think I made it to about Chenoa before I could no longer help Mark stay awake!

Quick unpacking of the necessities and hit the pillow at 2:15am - only to have to get up for work 4 hours later. Mark and I both made it in to our desks late today, and Nicole was the only one excited to go to school! After work, Nicole had her final volleyball match tonight, and I managed to accomplish one load of necessary laundry. Since most of our trip clothing was for summer, I don't have to hurry it today.

Thanks so much for your prayers - especially for health and safety. I didn't let Lauren swim after Friday, and her cough seems to have cleared up for now. Other than fatigue, we are doing very well.

Here is a photo of the entire group before Monday's lunch. Each contributed much in many different ways. I really enjoyed the synergy.

I know Nicole plans to write more when she has time. I also hope to have each one of us write a little more about how our expectations matched or differed from our experiences. I am looking forward to seeing you all in person as we adjust to our "normal" world, yet I hope the trip makes a lasting impression on our family to look for ways to serve every day.

My eyelids are heavy, and it's now 11:43pm on 2/24. This trip reminds me of a kids' song that is a Bible verse set to music for Joshua 1:9 - Be strong and courageous, do not be terrified, do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God is with you - wherever you go!

Beth