Since I am experiencing jetlag, I probably shouldn’t being thinking too deeply or posting anything for the whole world to see but I am feeling contemplative in my sleep deprived stupor; so here goes! 

I am finding it interesting how much easier it is for us (nowadays) to switch back and forth between the US and Germany/Europe.  We truly live in two different worlds.  Our time in the US is easier in some ways because (for Catherine and me anyway) it is our true “home” culture that we identify with down to our subconscious core. And yet, in other ways Germany is now “home;” with all of our friends here and the “stuff” in our own house that makes us feel at home.

There was a day when an extended home assignment like this summer (nearly 2 1/2 months in the States) would cause me to be homesick and not want to return to the field.  But nowadays (as I said to our children as we were preparing to leave Grandma and Grandpa’s house to head to the airport) leaving the States causes us to be excited and disappointed; happy and sad; hopeful and wary; homesick and sick for home…  All very conflicting emotions.

And yet, when all is said and done (I’m almost done), we wouldn’t trade this life that God has called us to for anything else.  He doesn’t take away all of the stress, disappointment and sadness, but He is with us!  Praise the Lord!