My Jet lagged Thoughts...

It is early on Monday morning and I am already awake. I'm not even sure what time it is here, but the only light that is coming in through the window is a cold blue light that halfway lights up the room. I always enjoy traveling to the US from Europe partly because of the great jet lag. I've never been a jump out of bed in the morning person, but there is something refreshing to being awake so early these first few days. It has really given me a chance to reflect over the past few months, and the past few years..................................... I have to say that sitting here thinking about all those things - all the people that we have become friends with - all the places we have been on our own spiritual pilgrimage - I truly feel blessed. The last three years have been some of the hardest and some of the greatest of my short life - so far. I can't really express the heartache that we both felt when we moved away from our families and friends. It was really like someone had ripped out a part of my flesh - I missed them all so much... But at the same time God was gracious and provided us some awesome friends in our co-workers. Looking back on it now - Dee and I have both said that there is no way we would have survived without this little drop of mercy. We found in them, a refuge, a chance to laugh, a chance to be challenged, and a chance to learn. With time we really felt like we were settling into our new home in Ireland, and to be honest with you it took a lot longer to make good friends there that I would have ever thought.................. But thankfully we feel as if we have become a part of a caring community that accepts us (even with all of our weird Americanisms) and truly wants to be our friends. For this I am immeasurably grateful.