Time in the USA

Happy New Year! We trust you’ve had a wonderful Christmas and New Year with family, friends, food and fellowship!  I know Derek and I have grown… not so much vertically…

We just returned from a wonderful four weeks in the US.  To be honest, there was a part of me that was not sure I would be ready to step back on the plane to head back to Uganda when we first arrived.  Everything was so familiar: the food was DELICIOUS; we were with people we loved, which was rejuvenating; and driving on good roads felt safe and secure.  I told my sisters and mom that there was no way I would be ready to go back to Uganda after only four weeks at home; however, God is beyond gracious and His plan for us is perfect.  After four weeks Derek and I were both ready to back to it.  Not excited to leave, but at peace to return to our Ugandan home.  We were excited about this new year and all God has in store.  We boarded the plane knowing we were going back to people we love and a job that we are passionate about…together. 

As always, our time in the States flew by. There is never enough time to see everyone or do all we need to do.  We’re SO sorry that we were not able to see many of you or even stop by for a short visit.  We’re reminded how big the US is when you have to try and cover as much of it as you can in 30 days or less.

We landed in Boston on December 12 and were greeted by the beautiful faces of my mom, dad and dearest friend Helen.  In their hands, they held something precious to both of us (Dunkin Donuts coffee) and continued to spoil us by driving us to Ernesto’s pizza for a few slices…an amazing welcome home J  The next day was jammed packed with appointments and “life errands.” The next day we flew to Vero Beach and met up with the Garcias and Lisa.  To spend a week together on the beach and just unplug, unwind and catch up is a great way to re-enter the United States.  We had great food, walks on the beach, plenty of sports to watch and loved every minute together. We spent the week catching up with our very active, intelligent and handsome nephew (we’re not biased).  He had us laughing all week and feeling very loved with kisses and hugs.  He’s grown up so much this past year, and his parents are doing a phenomenal job with that young man.  After a great week with everyone, we were off to Oklahoma to spend Christmas with the Johnson’s.  We spent ten wonderful days with them, filled with card games, trips to see Derek’s 93-year old grandmother and family, movies, food and relaxation.  We even were blessed with a little snow dusting on Christmas J  It’s always a blessing to be able to get home to see family.  The next ten days were an absolute hurricane. We flew back to Boston for more appointments, packing, shopping and then driving to PA for meetings and onto VA to surprise Miss Lisa for her 30th birthday.  It was a blast to be there. We were so thankful we were still in the States to celebrate her.  What an amazing woman she is! 

           

After putting Kari back on a flight to CA, we loaded the van and set for Boston.  A special thanks to Tom and Michele Sweeney for loaning us their van. We honestly could not have moved everything where it needed to go without you! And taking in the only live sporting event while we were home was a special treat. The next day was the fun test of loading everything, making sure each bag made weight and that we weren’t leaving anything behind J  We hit the road to the airport (via Ernesto’s of course) and set off for Uganda.

So…as you read, it was a very, very full trip.  We made it home to Uganda without any problems and have loved being back.  Just four days after arriving we began to welcome some of the neurosurgeons who are instrumental in the Hospital and research that happens here.  I will spend more time in the following post talking about these amazing men and woman who spend their time and amazing talent fighting for our babies both stateside and internationally.  We are incredibly blessed to have such partners. 

I think that is the main update for our trip J  Praying you have a wonderful day living life to the full.