Grandma

One of the wonderful things I have gotten to experience since moving back to NC is time with my Grandma.  I have only one grandparent still living and I am just around the corner from her now.  I have gotten to spend more quality time with her in the past few months than I have my whole life, it seems at least.  She has been a huge help to me by allowing me to store some of my belongings in her basement and use her car when needed.  This has been quite a blessing.

We have gone grocery shopping, eaten lunch together, attended church and spent time just sitting and talking.  I have noticed that if we sit long enough, the questions and conversation come.  In my life, I have often been in such a rush to get to my next task that I have not made the time to just sit.  I began to ask her questions about her life, and she about mine.

My Grandma has the most amazing memory.  She can remember details from her childhood that most of us would struggle to recall.  She is very observant and can retell a conversation or event in a remarkable way.  Years ago I encouraged her to write a book because she had a knack for remembering things.  Guess what...she did!  She wrote a book about her life and had it published.  I have always treasured this book because no matter what, I can always look back at this story of her life.

Here is a picture of us just after I returned from Africa.  She was very glad to know I was home safely:).

Home again, home again, jiggety jig!

Did your dad ever say this to you after arriving home from any activity of the day?  Mine did and I think my brother now says it to his family.  While in South Africa, the sweet family I spent time with had this children's nursery rhyme "To Market".   Their oldest daughter showed me the book, I saw the line and told her that my dad used to say that line to us whenever we arrived home.  She seemed joyfully surprised that we could both know this phrase, even though we are from different parts of the world.  I think I was surprised too:).

Well the point is, I am home!  I arrived back in NC yesterday morning after 30 hours of flying and layovers.  My parents picked me up from the airport (didn't even have to twist their arm!) and I took my first hot shower since April 15th in Johannesburg.  I also got some water to drink...right out of the tap!  I did laundry (another luxury) and washed my shoes, which I realize are green, grey and white.  They were so dirty that I had forgotten that they weren't actually brown.  The rains and mud in Rwanda had done them in, and in a culture that takes pride in cleanliness, my dirty shoes and feet were quite an embarrassment.  I should clarify that I wasn't embarrassed, but others seemed to be embarrassed for me.  I was just happy to be upright as I attempted to walk along the muddy roads which felt like an eternal slip n slide.

I slept a few hours yesterday afternoon, then most of the night, but woke up super early (3:40am).  I spent some time this morning reading the Bible, praying and journaling (my treasured morning ritual) as I tried to wrap my mind around everything I had experienced.  I went for a walk at the park with my mom (always a treat), ran some errands and got to spend some time with my grandma.

During my travels, I journaled and have many stories to share.  For now, I can say that the experience was life changing, that my heart has expanded and that every day during that journey, I thanked God for loving me enough to give me the opportunity to see, hear, feel and experience all that I did.  Thank you to everyone who supported me with prayers, donations, words of encouragement, thoughts and love. My heart is full of gratitude because of you.

This is a sunrise over the Indian Ocean that I witnessed from the Pemba shores, directly across from the Iris Ministries base.  One example of the unexpected beauty on display during my travels.