It was a long flight.
Well, to be honest, it was two three-hour flights and one 11-hour flight that brought us back from Southeast Asia to this part of the world.
We were jet-lagged to be sure when we arrived at the New Orleans airport, but when I saw my mom and dad at the end of arrival hall, I took off running (as best as I could with my hand luggage in tow.)
The tears were streaming down my face when I finally reached them and hugged their necks. I think they might have been holding some signs to welcome us home, but I was so excited to see their faces, I couldn't focus.
As I was hugging my mom, I opened my eyes and noticed a friend of Miá's standing not too far behind.
It was a moment of confusion.
Although we arrived in New Orleans, our final destination would be Columbia, Mississippi, which was another two hour car ride. I wasn't expecting to see other people we knew at the airport besides my parents.
Yet there were about 25 people standing just beyond my parents waiting to welcome us.
I can't recall a moment where I have ever felt so humbled and yet so loved to know that so many had gone so far out of their way to come welcome us home.
They were smiling and clapping and cheering as we came through the gate.
It was such a shock to see them all there, that I know I must have seem dazed and bewildered.
Still, that has to be one of my most favorite moments since we have arrived in America.
There have been other favorite moments...
Sitting with my family at the Christmas eve service at our church, singing Silent Night and other beloved hymns.
Enjoying the fire pit and fireworks at the strike of midnight with some of our favorite people.
Reconnecting with co-workers and good friends from other parts of the world at a week-long conference.
Seeing snow for the first time in many years.
Sharing about the "work" going on in Southeast Asia and seeing people here get excited about what Father is doing "over there."
It's been a whirlwind to say the least, and it's been great!
I'm really hoping things will slow down some though. I know it may be too much to expect that we will ever find some sort of routine, but I really just want to enjoy doing some of the things we've been missing. I want to have friends over for dinner and catch up on life. I want to just sit in the audience of our home church and listen to our pastor preach. I want to sit on the back patio and sip a cup of coffee in the cool morning air. I want to hear the giggles coming from our girls' bedrooms when they have their friends over. These are all things we don't have the opportunity to do when we live on the other side of the globe, and I just want to soak it up now while we can.
If only time would slow down a little...
