Sights and Sounds

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As we look forward to our furlough (aka: rest/rejuvenation time from the mission field), there are some things I'm excited about!  There are also some things that I will miss about living in Nicaragua.

The things listed below are not meant to be complaints or a comparison as to which country is better.  It is simply a way I can express this mix of emotions I'm feeling as this transition nears.  Excitement. Sadness. Relief.  Hope. Nostalgia.  Expectation.  Fears.  Peace.  

Being a missionary involves the feeling of belonging to two places and not belonging fully in either place (I guess that is also influenced by the fact that I grew up as an MK).  Hopefully what's shared below gives you a glimpse into what things are going through my mind and heart these days as we prepare to go "home" for a little while.

SEE --- 

 I'm excited about seeing:
  • clean and litter-free streets and public areas
  • our family, face to face (although Skype has been nice, it's really not the same)
  • cars using turn signals and abiding by traffic laws
  • libraries and parks
  • clearance racks at Target
  • prices all in dollars (not struggling with math to do conversions)


 I will miss seeing:
  • the beautiful view of trees, flowers, the valley, etc (just a peak outside my backdoor)
  • people who have become like family to us
  • the familiar sights in our life here such as NCA, our house, volcanoes, the beach, etc.
  • our Youth Group kids!


 HEAR ---

 I'm excited about hearing:
  • our kids playing with their cousins 
  • TV shows in English and sports commentators speaking English

 I will miss hearing:
  • our neighbor boys across the fence
  • David saying Spanish words


 TASTE ---

 I'm excited about tasting:
  • corn dogs
  • Wheat Thins
  • fish sticks
  • Grape Nuts
  • fruit snacks
  • Golden Grahams
  • DQ blizzards
  • Donuts made right
  • I could go on and on...


 I will miss tasting:
  • queso frito
  • frijoles molidos
  • pupusas
  • tostones
  • churros de queso
  • repochetas


 TOUCH ---

 I'm excited about touching:
  • carpet --- oh, how my feet love the feel of carpet!
  • softer towels and clothing (that haven't been made hard by line drying)


 I will miss touching:
  • our dog, Bella
  • the stick shift in our manual car


SMELL ---  

 I'm excited about smelling:
  • new clothes!  (sounds sort of ridiculous but this is my tie to memories growing up when we were on furlough - new clothes have a wonderful smell and always remind me of the states!)
  • Bath & Body Works (need I say more?)


 I will miss smelling:
  • the air after a good ol' afternoon Nica rain
  • hmm...not too many other smells that I will miss actually - ha ha!

As we spend our last night in Managua, I feel ready.  Ready for a change, ready for rest and a new environment.  Ready to be with family for more than a hurried few weeks.  It will definitely be different living in the United States for the next 11 months, especially since Luke and I have never lived there (for longer than 3 weeks or so) together. 

And yet I am sad to say goodbye to friends, to leave our dog, house, and all that is familiar.  Things that have become comfortable and well-known.  It has been a round of goodbyes the past few weeks and that hasn't been easy.  But I know that as the Lord leads us He is faithfully walking with us each step.  Through every change and transition, disappointment and joy.  And that gives hope and peace.  He is our Rock no matter the circumstance or geographical location.

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