Manna

We are back from our two week trip to the states and have begun to settle again into our 'real' lives. This last week back the Imslands have had a relatively blank look to their face, cry often, and are incredibly tired. Coming back to America was a lot; a lot of fun, driving, talking, connecting, transitions, food, activities, friends, and family. Halfway through Shane and I looked at each other and said, "We are about ready to go back." God isn't done with us yet. It was a nice affirmation. 

I made a silly list of the things that our family appreciated as we stayed in America:

Warm showers 

Forgeting to use hot water knob when washing hands and dishes. 

Ability to drive anywhere, anytime

Jimmy Johns

Static electricity

Sleeping with LOTs of blankets on

Enjoying a hot drink

Soft toilet paper 

Movie theaters

Dry skin/flat hair 

Carmel latte 

Hugs from family and friends 

Eye contact with those who love us 

Listening to the radio while driving and listening to the kids in the back singing along with the radio. 

Great steaks

Apples 

Knowing that for the most part, people will follow the rules of driving

Snow storms

The way snow sticks to the trees

Fireplaces

Return to Haiti:

Getting out of a shower and not freezing

Changing the drinking water 

Warmth 

Greeting the Haitians I missed 

Amazing fruit

There are so many things we appreciate about Haiti but I think the biggest is knowing that we are being obedient and watching God use us. It isn't about how great we are, we just show up. God does the work. One of the things he does EVERY DAY is allow our family to see what we are calling 'manna'. In the Bible the Israelites were miraculously freed from the Egyptians and were following a cloud of the Spirit of God around a desert. They were wandering and had no way to produce food, but every morning there was manna from heaven. God informed them to only gather what they would need for that one day because it would not last longer. He used this manna to teach the Israelites how to trust in God's provision for them daily. Well, He is doing the same thing for us. 

Things are never boring here and there are many times that we feel dragged down, but we have noticed that God provides enough 'manna', or encouragement and affirmation, to continue on to the next day. He doesn't give us extra but he gives us just enough for the day. Shane and I know that he is doing this for the same reasons he did it with the Israelites, he wants to know, "Do you trust me to provide what you need every day? Will you surrender to me?" Our answer is, "Yes. We trust and are SO grateful for the daily manna!"

This is half of Landens face from the customs in MIA. The machine was broken and didn't go down for him. (FYI everyone looked like a zombie in these photos). We laughed about this for two days. 

Sierra loving on our little dog Zoe

I just love a Panera Carmel latte. Mmmmmm. 

My Cece.  

Sierra got to spend a weekend in Rochester with her cousin/best friend Cara. 

The look says it all...we are now 13 years old and you are annoying me (Austin's cousin Kaitlyn is only 2 days older and they have grown up together). 

Awww...

Dress up with friends. There were 3 or 4 rounds of changing outfits. 

It snowed...a lot. And was very cold. Beautiful and cold. 

Almost 17 years of marriage and I still like him. :)

If you have ever wondered why I am so strange... Meet my parents. (Mom looks deceivingly normal here). 

Sierra and Auntie Shannon. 

Shane's cousin Jessi was in Haiti this week. Shane was able to go deliver water with them in Cite Soleil and then the kids bonded on Thursday when the team came to Grace for a tour. 

A friend of ours gave the kids clay. They made volcanoes. I started to talk to the kids about volcanoes before we did our baking soda vinegar experiment and Austin says, "Mom, I've got this." And proceeds to explain better than I could how they are formed and why they explode. He is so smart...seriously. 

The kids watching tv. I know I have posted this before, but every time I see them like this, it makes me chuckle.