Home

Marc and I got home on Monday afternoon.  We were met by Matt, Nicole and Sweet Haley.  How good it was to see them and to know they are now part of the ministry here.

It was a good six weeks.  We loved on family and friends.  Marc golfed with his dad and with Nathan and with a couple of friends. I got in shopping, one movie and lots of girl time.  Susan and I didn't even pull an all-nighter.  Yay for us.  We were encouraged by people everywhere we went.  We were spoiled by things like round-the-clock electricity, showers with pressure, Mexican food, being loved on.  And, did I mention Mexican food?

We traveled over 6200 miles, going as far east as Johnson City, Tennessee, as far west as Amarillo and Lubbock, as far north as Rockford, Illinois and as far south as San Antonio.  That led us into nine different states.  We slept 20 different places and some twice and ate more different places than that.  One would think I would learn to travel lighter.  We visited 15 churches, Rotary clubs, student centers, etc.  We made plans, raised the money, and purchased two block machines.  We shared events from the ministries that have happened this year.  And shared plans for the future.  We laughed, we cried, we prayed.  We shared cups of coffee.  And more Mexican food.  We were sad for the people we didn't see and the churches we didn't get to visit.  There was not enough time in Fairview Heights. 

San Antonio and Rockford were not on our original schedule.  But the block machines called our names and we followed.  We ate Mexican food in San Antonio.  After leaving Rockford, we went to Chicago.  We walked along Lake Michigan and Michigan Avenue and ate at Geno's East, pizza not Mexican.  As we headed toward Nashville, we were able to stop in Bowling Green, another unplanned stop.  If Marc and Steve had not made us quit, Jeanne and I might still be sitting in that restaurant talking. 

We appreciated everyone who opened their homes and their hearts to us.  As always, we met new friends.  Thanks to everyone.

Now we are home.  We were not sad to leave 110 degree heat.  We have had no internet since we arrived until this morning.  We are back to showers with no pressure, drinks with no ice.  But, the hugs from those 19 kids, 20 counting Haley, made coming home lovely.  I realized I had missed the beautiful mornings and the cool evenings.  There was much work to be done in the States, but now there is much work to be done here.

Terri