On the OTHER side…

I am officially back in the land of Kansas! It was extremely hard to say goodbye to everyone in Kenya, and there were a few tears…I won’t lie. But it’s also so amazing to be back home. It’s a very strange feeling because I expected more to be different, and the lack of changes sometimes makes me feel as though I never left.

My travels went fairly well. I didn’t cry at all which is usually my coping mechanism when I get stressed in airports. So that was a plus! I did miss my connection flight in Chicago due to mechanical issues on the ground in London, but I was able to get another flight to Charlotte 6 hours later. By that time, I was falling asleep while I was trying to read. I’m sure it looked hilarious to see me dropping my book and catching it every few minutes! ha. My debriefing time in Charlotte was good, and it was a joy to be able to meet up with a dear couple I got to know in Kenya and had to say goodbye to in September. It made me realize that many goodbyes weren’t permanent, but rather temporary. Anyways…I finally made it back to Wichita, KS on Friday night. It was so special to be met by my parents, sister, brother & sister-in-law, my Grandparents, and an Aunt, uncle and cousin! It has been so refreshing and fun to catch up with everyone! I look forward to seeing all my Clark relatives this next weekend for my cousin’s wedding!

Some have already been asking what adjustments or changes I have been noticing. For one, I woke up on Saturday morning and thought I had gone deaf because it was SO QUIET!!! No noises in the house, and none outside even at 8 in the morning! I hadn’t realized how loud Nairobi is until I got away from it! And then there are the small adjustments around the house…new curtains, a new bed; people are wearing clothes I’ve never seen before (I got a lesson in this year’s culture while watching people at the airport for hours on end!) Small things seem like such a big deal. I could use spray out of can to grease my cookie sheets rather than having to get my fingers all dirty , a dishwasher, a timer to keep track of time while I bake! All kinds of stuff. And my clothes closet seems completely new to me again! ha.

I took out my braids on Sunday night. I was so thankful my sister and parents were willing to help me! It still took FOUR hours and my head was rather sore afterwards, but I still think it was worth it! However, my mom told me I should sign a contract to not do it again for at LEAST 365 days. I don’t think she has anything to worry about.

Well, I will continue to write in the next few weeks about my adjustment to life in the small town of Newton, KS. Then after that I might have to think of new things to write in a blog, because I really do enjoy having one, but life on this side of the ocean might not be as interesting! ha. Well, thank you all for being a part of this past year of my life. You have blessed me beyond measure.

And one last prayer request: I still don’t have my luggage… it has now been to Memphis, to Charlotte, and back to Memphis and I’m hoping to get it to KS before this weekend!