An Unexpected Trip to Idaho

On New Year's Day, we received a phone call from my parents telling us that they had a "deal" for us.  So, as soon as I heard that, I decided to say that I am going to hang up and call them back regardless of what it is just so we had time to talk about it.  When they told us that they wanted to fly us up to Idaho for a couple weeks, I was speechless, but still hung up.  We discussed it to make sure we had all our "ducks in a row" before calling them back, and then yelled with a resounding, "YES!"  We were in Idaho the next night!

One of my biggest worries about going "home" or coming back "home" is that I would have a mix of emotions as most call "culture shock," so you can imagine my worries when we were heading home for the first time in over 6 months.  However, a dear friend of mine gave me the idea to consider that Honduras is Narnia and when I go home, I am simply stepping out of the wardrobe.  I really like this because I don't want to feel guilty about where I come from, but I don't want to lose the experience and perspective that I gain while I am in Honduras.  I have also added the thought that it is just like the Land of Oz and going back home to Kansas...thus why I have stuck a pair of ruby slippers on my fridge here in "Oz."

Here is a list of all the things that we enjoyed while we were in Idaho (not in any particular order):

3 full days of skiing * 1 day of powder skiing with my momma * Amazing mac and cheese at  Schweitzer's Outback * After a fun day skiing, a night out at TAPS listening to Eric E. * strolls through Target * girl movie nights * boys night golf league * Bistro on Spruce with my Grandpa & Grandma Dirks, and Tim * Bardenay's with the girls * sushi night * 6am Monopoly Deal challenges * morning coffee watching the sunrise * Charlie and Nikki!! (our dogs) * Lunch out with Grandpa & Grandma Thomas, and Great Grandma Mueller * cuddling up with a blanket by the fire * coffee date with Renee * ski day with Molly * dancing with Dad, Mom, Johnna, Molly, and the party with all the wigs * surprising Cambria at the airport * PF Changs * day trip to Moscow * Brazilian Steakhouse * dinner with my Uncle, Aunt, two cousins, and Joyce (The Thomas') * Applebees * dinner with my Uncle, Aunt, and three cousins (The Lybyer's) * Friday night church service at LCCC * getting some dark chocolate from a special friend, Wendy *ordering and bringing back 5 brand new compound microscopes for AFE's biology lab * Caddyshack's fish tacos *

It was so much fun to go and be re-energized and refreshed during those 2 weeks, and now we are anxious to begin the school year with our new classrooms. Thank you for your continued prayer support!