Everything but the kitchen sink!

Our friends recently came to visit from America. We've been here five months now and are really missing folks back home, but God is good and He is helping us adjust. We know we also are loved and missed by folks back home. We feel it every time we open an email from a friend checking in on us. We feel it every time we get a call on our Vonage line from someone in the States wanting an update. We feel it everytime someone "Skypes" us and lets us sit as "talking heads" on their breakfast table using web cams to shrink the miles between us. But to have an entire group representing all our friends and family back home show up on our doorstep with more love and gifts than I feel comfortable mentioning, it is an overwhelming reminder that we are truly loved, lifted up and still very much a part of what is going on back home!

Wow! Where do I start? The trip was way too short! During the visit, we were encouraged, loved on and lifted up. We laughed together and cried together. They let us take them around town to see some sights. They were able to see where we live, how we live and who we interact with. They were even able to meet a national friend of ours who is very likeminded. All in all, I know it is a visit that none of us will soon forget.

OK. Many of you have been asking about the goodies I got. Well, a few of my girlfriends had been asking me if I needed any makeup or skincare from the States. That kind of thing is really expensive here, so I made a list and sent it to a handful of gals who had said they wanted to participate if I needed anything later.

Then I got a call from another guy. He wanted to know what kinds of food items we can't get over here and really miss. So we made another list. Jeff wanted hair gel and some razors. I also asked for a pair of purple flip-flops for a friend I met here. Every time she comes to my house, she puts my Old Navy flip-flops on and talks about how much she likes them. Her favorite color is purple, so I thought, "What a neat surprise that would be!" So, my dear friend took our wish lists and gave them out to a few of his closest friends. ;)

About that time, we got a large gift of iTunes credits from one group because they didn't want to take up luggage space with CDs. I start getting emails from friends saying, "Hey! We didn't get a list! Why didn't we get a list? They passed one around at church yesterday! Where's mine?"

Wow. What can I say? It overwhelmed us. All the love and care that went into that is just astounding. It still brings tears to my eyes. It's not the "stuff", guys, really. It's the strong reminder that we are so loved and cared for by our family back home. Not forgotten. Thought of often and dearly loved. Treasured. It made me think of 2 Corinthians 8:4 - "they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints."

Anyway, we got all the luggage to our house. Seven bags in all! One friend wanted to be with me when I opened the bags, but later I was glad that she wasn't. I felt silly crying as I opened taco shells and Dr. Pepper.

Three of the suitcases contained winter clothes we couldn't bring with us in the Spring. There were some new clothes from Jeff's parents. There were also two guitars. We've missed music so much and these guitars were a welcomed treasure! (Reminds me of 2 Timothy 4:13! "When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, and my scrolls, especially the parchments.") :) We got food, food and more food. Peanut butter, Oreos, brownie mixes, ingredients for pumpkin pies and cranberry nut bread! And GRITS!!! Ah! Grits. God's gift to mankind. I stocked all the gifts in my pantry and we've SO enjoyed everything! We've shared with other Americans here and they are so appreciative! We are having a taco party night soon!

Then we unpacked the skincare. I thought I took a photo of all those things together and then found out that Jeff had another bag full of hair gel in a different room! :) What a blessing you guys are!

Then there is the story of the flip-flops. Remember the pair of purple flip-flops I asked for? Well, I got flip-flops alright! Check these out! Bear in mind that there are three pair missing from this photo. I already gave my friend two pair and I have snagged a pair to wear in the house. My friend was overwhelmed by the small gift and I made sure to tell her that dear friends from America brought those over just for her! I plan to give these other flip-flops out to new friends as God brings them my way.

Not everyone is blessed with a family like ours. I don't know why God placed us in this particular family. I only know that we are grateful. One more verse I think of when I think of this trip is Philemon 1:7 - "Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the saints." Even those of you who couldn't come, and we know that many more of you would've come if you could, we thank God for you daily, because we know that you are at home holding the ropes on our behalf. The grits are just a delicious reminder.

We love you guys.