As you read this blog Lisa and I are likely back in the United States. No, not to live, but for a one-week visit.
We were scheduled to touch down in Atlanta Thursday, Feb. 15 at about 6 p.m. -- nearly 130 days after leaving the States to study Spanish in Guatemala and then be a part of the Mission UpReach family in Honduras.
We are happy to announce that together we return with about 70 pounds less "luggage" -- thanks to better food choices, portion control and physical exercise.
Praise be to God.
Our return isn't because we miss family and friends, even though we do very much. The trip for Lisa is business -- Mission UpReach board meeting in an Atlanta suburb.
I am a tag along.
As many of you know, we have a cabin in the foothills of Georgia near where the Appalachian Trail begins (about an hour's drive from Lisa's Friday meeting) and we have extended our trip a few days for some rest/relaxation.
My sister, Reba, and her husband, Bob, will join us from North Carolina, along with my cousin, Janice, and her husband, Jim, from South Carolina.
We are excited for our visit, but will welcome our return to our home in Santa Rosa de Copan.
Our excitement about the trip, in part, is motivated by some things of very little importance -- items we miss (or have had trouble finding) in our medium-sized city.
Jason Simpson, a friend at the Mission who moved here with his family from Texas to drill water wells, has told me anything I need can be found here -- if I know where to look. He makes a good point, but we are still learning where to look.
Therein lies the problem (it isn't a big problem) -- need vs. desire and local commerce knowledge.
The terms "Big Box Store" and "One-Stop-Shopping" do not exist here. There is no possibility of a quick trip to Home Depot.
And seriously, the items we will seek to purchase and bring back from the State's are not necessarily must-have needs.
Still, here are some things on our list, including a few friend requests.
*Gaskets/washers for laundry water hoses,and a correct plug for the dryer.
*Felt stick-ons for kitchen cabinet doors to stop the loud noise when they are closed.
*Better fitting clothing from weight loss.
*Dark furniture scratch cover; the move was far from scratch-free.
*More useful small tools.
*Lightweight blankets to use as substitutes for no central heat.
*Toilet paper holders for all bathrooms.
*Two electrical light kits for the ones damaged in the move.
*Round and sticky sandpaper for my sander.
*George Foreman grill!
*Fan pull cords and correct size light bulbs.
*M&M's.
*Wal-Mart trail mix.
*CPAP (breathing sleep machine) supplies.
*Kit-Kat bars.
*Reese's peanut butter cups
*Slim Jims
Necessities -- every single one, as well as some of our favorite foods-meals from certain chain restaurants.
You might be asking about now, however, why we aren't taking advantage of shipping items from companies like Amazon. There is a simple reason: The good stuff might not make in into our hands (we've been told).
We wish we had time to see you all on this trip. However, it isn't possible; maybe next time as I have two more trips tentatively planned this year to North America -- in May and August.
As we travel we will remember Philippians 4:19: "But my God shall supply all your needs according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus."
Please keep us in your prayers.
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