When

• When I think about landing on American soil for the first time in 3 years, I get excited. When I realize both of my kids remember nothing about the last time we were there, I can't wait to make new memories with them. When I realize I won't have to subtract 13 hours to remember what time I can call my family, or when my daughter talks about how much she can't wait to play with her cousins, I say "bring on July!"
• When I read about a pastor in the Dallas Metroplex who has started his own fashion blog because it's just that important to stay current, trendy and "relevant," I want to throw up in my mouth just a little. And I get a bit nervous remembering that re-entry culture shock is a real thing.
• When the water is out for the 20th time this week and I just want to take a shower, I say July can't come fast enough. When my helper shows up one day asking for a 42% raise and then I tell her we might have to cut back on her hours because 42% more per hour is a bit much, I am frustrated. And when my helper calls the next day to say she won't come to work because she has to "pay her electric bill," I feel played. The passive-aggressive way situations are dealt with here drive me C-R-A-Z-Y. 
• But then, when my helper shows up for work the next day and we work things out in our "talk around it," dysfunctional culturally-appropriate fashion, and when she proceeds to spend over an hour washing, peeling, and chopping vegetables so I can play with my girls, I decide it's worth it. I think. I mean, in America, sure there are luxuries like frozen vegetables and sauce from a jar, but goodness gracious I get spoiled having a helper here.
• When I realize I'm on edge again today because people are staring and talking about us once more like we can't understand them and are simply monkeys at the zoo, I want to tell them they are in need of some serious manners. And then I realize I have anger issues. Never before did I struggle with anger like I have since moving here. You know why? Sin. As if I have the right to not have to hear people talking about us or stare at us. And I realize it might be good to get some perspective outside the fishbowl again.
• But when I think about the last year and how FAITHFUL the Father has been to give us joy and to allow us to see Him work in amazing ways, I am grateful. I feel like we've received more blessings from this overseas journey than I could have fathomed if we'd lived here 100 years. And He doesn't even owe us a single one.
• When I read in Luke about Jesus calming the storm and asking his disciples, "Where is your faith?" I identify with the disciples. I feel pretty great about how much I trust the Lord until a trial comes along. Lord, fix me.
• And when I think about how my heart really loves two countries at the same time for vastly different reasons, I am grateful for the opportunity to see some strengths and weaknesses in both cultures...and to have people to look forward to seeing on both sides of the ocean. I am blessed to be on this ride.  

Good Reads

I don't normally blog about books, but I've read two lately that I loved so much I just had to share. First of all, this is the best parenting book I've ever read. For real.




Maybe because it stepped all over my toes, or maybe it's the stage of life I am in right now, but this book spoke volumes to me. In essence, it challenges us to examine if we are building homes based on grace or on legalism. Kevin and I read this book at the same time, and it's given us much to discuss. And please, do me a favor, if you read the book, make sure to read it in its entirety.





And next up, Redefining Home by Carrie Hudson.



 Carrie gives her family's story of moving to Asia, moving back to the US, and coming back to Asia again. If you want to get a glimpse of what it's like to live cross-culturally and have a piece of your heart in 2 cultures at the same time, this is it. I got to meet Carrie a few months ago, and I have to say she's as passionate, down-to-earth, and hilarious in person as she is in the book. I've read her blog for a while, and when I met her I might have said in a slightly-stalkerish way, "You don't know me, but I read your blog."

Do yourself a favor and download these books. I'll even refund your Amazon money if you don't think they're absolutely great. :) You're welcome in advance.