I lay on the back seat of the car. Snuggled under a thick  protective blanket, with a pillow under my head for comfort. My brother and his wife were in the front seat, looking straight ahead, they informed me that we were here…I was just to be quiet and stay where I was until they came to get me. My mind drifted back to the last time I had seen my family…4 long years before, they had visited me in Montana and we had had a great time together. We did not know at that time that it would be so incredibly long until we would see each other again. Life has a strange way of switching gears just when you least expect it.

Pretty soon, stealthy footsteps approached the car, the door opened, and Jeff hissed, “you can get out now, they are ready”. He helped me out from under the blankets, and soon I was on my feet. With my hand in his, he peaked around the door to make sure that Debora had the camera ready, and that Mom and Dad were properly seated so as to preserve their good health.(If they were to faint, we did not want them falling and breaking a bone!)  He asked them if they were ready for their gift, and they readily agreed. He then pulled me out from behind the door, and presented me to our astonished parents!

So, what am I doing in America? Well it is like this… several months ago, I realized that I was once again going to have troubles with my visa. I did not know of any way to take care of it without returning to America. I had no clue as to how I could accomplish that, since I am not exactly rolling in money. But, when I talked to my boys about my problem, Andrew and Jason told me not to worry, they would buy me tickets. (They have been here in America, working, for several months now) They felt that a rest would do me good anyway. My brother and I agreed to make this a surprise for my parents and not tell them that I was coming. This is the reason for the strange silence on my blog the last few weeks.

So for six weeks, I am here….resting, eating, shopping for the kids, speaking at churches, and then resting some more. I already feel like a new person! (I am not sure what is better, the resting or the eating!) I have been able to see so many of my friends, and do a lot of the things that I have dreamed about for the past 3 years…like pick blueberries,visit with my family, go hiking, kayak on the river, and read long books uninterrupted.

Meanwhile back at home, Roy and Travis are shouldering my share of the load. Travis is now working to get his aviation ministry going, as well as doing all the translating for the new missionary training center. Roy is taking care of all the kids, along with helping with the missionary training as well. They have a full load and need a great deal of prayers.

Leaving my family for this time was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do. My little ones mean the world to me, and I shed many tears at parting with them. But, I believe that resting up after being sick so much of the time will help me to be a better mother when I get back, and better able to handle the things that God has planned for me. God does everything perfectly, in His time.