Today I unpacked my suitcase, 33 days after leaving Brazil, we're moving into our home for the next 5 months.
Funny thing... life is drastically different and oddly familiar at the same time. As the girls and I organize the kitchen, Mia pipes up offering to "cook the salt" which is the superior technique for managing our jungle humidity and Mia's established role back in the Amazon. I laugh and instead hand her the pre-cut, pre-washed mixed greens to put in our fridge. A fridge that runs for 24 hours a day. And last night, as we went to bed for the first time in our own bed, a lightning bug danced around the room and I couldn't help but think he was there to transition us from our other off-the-grid life.
So what are we up to? Gabriella and I are training for a 300 mile bike trip to Michigan happening in 11 days. I have known so many people who have done this ahead of me and I realize I did not admire them as I should have. Also, my tush is sore. But I have already met some stellar people and the workouts will take a bit out of the "furlough fifteen" that is expected of all foreign missionaries. Twenty for us since we will be here over Christmas.
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| Pflederer family week which included a teenage-girl shopping spree, City Museum (above), a jazz picnic at the botanical gardens, a bike ride through Forest Park (which I found more dangerous than 2 years of jungle living), and waterskiing at Lake of the Ozarks. |
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| The Pflederer family all together after biking minus Joe and Camila. |
I went on my first true Walmart outing and ran into my friend Jen who gives me her grocery ads so I can price match. As if Walmart is not cheap enough. Good grief I wish I could send cartfulls down to friends in Brazil. Three hours later I arrive home.
Today Josh has spent the day fixing the broken attic fan in our rental house. When he finishes that he will fix the shower. So, like I said, oddly familiar is this new life.
Mia and Ava stay busy with birthday parties, swim meets and once again fighting over space in the room they share.
Join us in thanking our Father! For His compilation of provision and grace evidenced in the various roofs over our heads (Tom & Connie, Porritts, Bakers and Manninghams) and their loving hospitality. For friends that God prompts to be soul-deep encouragers (at a pool party I get asked "What did God teach you these last years?") meeting our practical needs for our new home as well as laughter, food and fun.
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| I have always wanted to shoot a gun. I did not feel as villainous as I thought I would. |
And for those of you who payed attention to the World Cup, we hold no hard feelings. We prove it by sharing our first meal in our new home with Caro, who is from Germany.
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