Back in the U.S.

Leaving family is hard to do.  Over the years my sister and I have become great friends.  Actually, she is my best girlfriend ever.  Justin and I are here in Colorado visiting my sis and her family.  I found out the terrible news today that our plane is actually leaving a day earlier than we thought.  We have all been sort of depressed today thinking about the fact that tomorrow we will get on a plane and not see them again till who knows when.  It is so hard to live so far from family.  The next time they see me we will have a baby.  Sometimes I wonder why God would restore our relationship to what it is now just to have us live so far away.  Justin reminds me that Amy was such a support for me when I was in the midst of culture shock and transition and that it is a blessing we are so close.  I am thankful for her, even if she does live an ocean away.  Hopefully one day it will be a town away or street away instead of a whole ocean away.

Our trip to the states is going good.  I thought I would be a bit overwhelmed and annoyed coming back, but it is actually a nice relief to go into the HUGE grocery stores, being able to read labels and understand how foods are prepared, instead of trying to guess.  I miss the organic stores that are here as well.  And the overly friendly people?  Well, yes the first day I was a bit overwhelmed at the almost fake-like "hello" people would say, but now I am finding it nice to just have people smile and talk.  I don’t care if it is fake or not.  At least people interact with me! 

Well, I am off to spend my last day in Colorado with my best friends (Amy and Jason and of course the kids)!  Portland, here we come!