Homeward Bound

So, we are only about 3 weeks from our very first visit back to the States from living in Thailand for almost 2 years now, and I cannot even begin to fully describe all the thoughts and feelings running through my head right now.  But I figured blogging might be a good way to get it all out there and process through what the next few months will bring... Lots of random thoughts but here goes...

First of all, I am extremely excited.  I can't wait to see my family and friends.  I can't wait for our boys to be reunited with their cousins and grandparents.  I can't wait for our family to return to the city our boys were born in and visit some of the places that we frequented during their first few years of life.  I can't wait for our boys to spend time "out in the country" helping grandma with the chores and having hot chocolate with her in the morning (Clay has been talking about this for MONTHS).  I can't wait to go to Target!  AHH! I can't wait to go shopping for clothes that actually fit me!  And all the western food we will get to eat!    Our boys are going to LOVE cheese sticks and all the cereals!! I'm excited to speak to churches and with partners about the past 2 years, tell them about Thailand, what life is like here, what things are happening here and what God is doing in our lives. Oh the list can go on and on.  There is so much to be excited about.
But with all this excitement, to be honest, there is some apprehension.  How will my boys deal with reverse culture shock?  Zeke had just turned 2 when we left and doesn't even remember America.  Soon, both my boys will have lived in Thailand more of their life than in America.  How will Zeke (our more emotional child) deal with all the transition?  Should we even put him in the nursery at the churches we attend since I know it will stress him out?  What are people's expectations of us?  We are just ordinary people, doing what God has called us to do, not some super-christian.  Have we accomplished enough in the past 2 years to make our partners investment worth it? (Please, read this statement with an understanding that this is a pressure I put on myself, not something I think is right or I should feel this way, just simply, the way I do feel at times, and I think most feel at times in our line of work).  How will people respond to us?  What kinds of questions will they ask?  Maybe they won't ask any questions?  While we are in America will they even realize that this is not just some vacation for us, this is actually a part of our work?  I have heard so many people say that furlough is NOT a vacation, in fact, they say you might need a vacation from your furlough!  ;)
Humm, so much to think about, and now, off to go pack and get our house ready for leaving it for 2 and a half months ;)

September 2013 on the way to Thailand

April 2015 from our recent trip to Bangkok