see, i really am smiling

this was supposed to go with the post below, but it wouldn't let me post it. lil stinker.

returning

So, I returned from El Salvador on Tuesday afternoon. My time there was amazing. --Truly it was blessed so deeply and profoundly that I think I am a changed person. (Which is part of the goal of a mission trip, but by trip 4, I have stopped expecting it and am still delighted by it.) I am going to begin uploading stories, photos, etc. to my Nuevo Renacer blog. So feel free to check it out. I have a lot to say about that time, but I also feel the need to share something else.

I returned Tuesday and Darcy met us at the airport and then made me a wonderfully meaty dinner! And as always, Darcy listened to me babble and gave me 100% of her support & friendship through a few hours of food and hanging out. Wednesday evening Wendy came by with my car (with a gleaming new side mirror). We drove over to Diane's and hung out and I shared photos and stories, dreams and prophesies. Thursday I went to work and was so happy to return to the staff that I have come to love and enjoy so dearly and the day ended with time at Bible study sharing about the trip, praying for others and seeing more friends. I can't tell you how many hugs I received that night. And the evening ended with Adam's two girls, Lauren & Bridgette hanging out and giving me costume ideas for Halloween. (Kathy has promised to bring the two girls over for Halloween tomorrow!!) Friday D & I met Jessuca & Dave in Janzten beach and caught up on pizza eating, life sharing and giggles. Saturday night was spent watching the peeps costume. A mermaid, ghetto red riding hood, the Hamburgler (burgle, burgle) and basketball face all had me laughing. Even Diane, albeit covered in plague-like proportions of hives, had me smiling in the pink "prophesy" suit.

And Sunday was spent with my church family worshiping God for my time in El Salvador and each person that I had shared time with since my return. My heart was filled with thanks for the day and with an expectation for so much more from my good and gracious God.

And last night, I made a french beef stew and D, Crystal, Summer, Johnny and Trevor joined me for an evening around the family table.

Talk about an amazing return home, wrapped in frienship, purpose and joy! I am blessed in El Salvador, but I am also blessed beyond all measure at home in Portland. And if you are reading this, then you are part of that blessing and I just want you to know that I thank God for you every day! You light up my life, are the wind beneath my wings and are part of the reason that I have a perpetual grin peeking out of my face . . .

going home again

In case any of you don't know, I am returning to El Salvador again this Friday. This will be my 4th trip in a little over 2 years.

Liser asked me what it was like to get to know a place so intimately that wasn't home. And it is a unique experience. Oddly, at times during my visits, I feel more at home there than anywhere else on earth. Now, I know that is partially because the trips are so short (only a week). In that time little conflict can exist and everyone feels like part of one big family. But it is always a little disconcerting to me to feel so right in my skin when I know I just have to pack up and leave shortly.

But it is also so wonderful. How many people live their life never feeling that way about any place? And whether imagined or real, it feels like home to me and I enjoy each visit fully. I love the villagers deeply; watching them grow stronger, healthier, happier is amazing. I even love the dirty part of the various projects. (This trip we are working on installing a water system in the village. We will be digging ditch and laying pipe all week long.) And then there is the adventure of getting to know the face and character of a country rather than just seeing it's key tourist spots. This trip I actually get to stay a few extra days and go to the beach and see parts of El Sal that are brand new. That will be so cool!

And then, in the end, I get the joy of returning to my real home in Portland with friends waiting for me. I am pretty blessed! Anyway, if you want to see pics or read a little more about my last trip, feel free to visit the blog I created just for the village: My el sal blog