nails. Friday, May 20, 2011      

  reunion. Friday, May 20, 2011      

  just us girls. Thursday, May 19, 2011   Joe came in Monday night from Pittsburgh, and Alex, Becky, Lina and Ilan arrived Tuesday from Philly.  Now the men and Judah are off camping and it’s just us girls and baby Ilan for a couple days.  Lina and Amie (nine months apart in age) are already best friends and worst enemies and pretty much inseparable.  It makes me so happy to see the cousins play together and to finally hold my sweet nephew.   Life is sweet indeed.  

  parting shot. Thursday, May 19, 2011     This crew left yesterday morning for a three-day guy trip in northern PA.  Judah was beside himself with excitement.  Three whole days in the woods with just the guys — what more could a boy ask for?  

  one week home and a few coherent thoughts. Thursday, May 19, 2011   – the health clinic in our city’s airport is equipped to give you IV fluids if you need them before you board your plane. – I have an incredible husband who somehow got two small children and a sick wife through two international flights, a five-hour layover, and back home all in one piece. – America is a very clean place. – and quiet. –it always takes longer to recover from jet-lag than I remember. –it feels strange not calculating time-zone differences before making a phone call. –i love ovens. – and driving a car. –…

  lititz. Monday, May 16, 2011      

  gratitude # 606 – 619. Wednesday, May 11, 2011   David made morning glory muffins for breakfast Ams back to her happy self today antibiotics for my sinus infection teammates who are helping us get out the door Anju who will come and clean up after us most of the laundry done most of the packing done Judah is so excited he asked to go to bed at 8:00 this morning so he could wake up and get on the airplane Colleen who comes through in a pinch the lump in my throat when I think of leaving teammates I’ve cooked and shopped and laughed and fought and cried…

  love. Wednesday, May 11, 2011      

  sick. Tuesday, May 10, 2011     Amie and I are under the weather this week — she with a bad cold and me with a sinus infection.  Please pray that we get better before our twenty-three hour trip this week!  

  painting. Monday, May 9, 2011     (there was a little mix-up at the beginning, where Amie thought the paint was supposed to go on her face) Judah painted pictures for “my cousin Annie,” “Joe,” and “Mum-Mum.”  And Miss Amelie?  For “Jo-fan” (Jonathan). My heart swells with love for these two kids.  I am overwhelmed that God made them and gave them to David and me.  We couldn’t have possibly picked out their sweet faces or little voices or personalities more perfectly.  He did a good job. These last six months have been hard.  Really hard.  And I am in awe of the courage and resilience of Judah and…