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We are here!  In America... Where the signs are familiar, the drivers a bit more predictable, the stores a lot bigger...  the cereal boxes even huger.

We didn't really have many "plans" for these first days, just a list of things "to do" before we hit the road.

To not have a "plan" is sort of contrary to my nature, but I've enjoyed just letting the days unfold.  I think we forgot how busy American culture 'feels' and how quickly time slips away (and I thought all those machines here saved time)!

Jetlag meant lots of early mornings, which isn't the worst thing in the world.  Except when Reni would crawl up on the couch and fall asleep at 6:30 (which would result in more early mornings)! ; -)

Our first day here we visited my Grandpa Whiteford in the hospital following a stroke he incurred the day before we left Albania.  Thanks to some amazing medicines administered upon arriving at the hospital, he regained a lot of the functions he lost, but he still cannot walk so he has been moved to a nursing home for therapy, and most recently he has gotten weaker, the reason unknown.

Reni scored an amazing riding toy to use at Gigi and Gysh's house.  Then, his dad outfitted it with a button the steering wheel to give him hand controls for acceleration.

with my cousins's kids (grandchildren of my Aunt Marcia)

We've been down to the farm to pull things out of storage that we'll need for this summer.

Then we participated in mom and dad's neighborhood garage sale to sell some other things we had kept in storage (and met an Albanian couple who dropped in to peruse the merchandise -- we may just have freaked them out a bit when we started talking to them in Shqip!).

My cousin graciously came over and modeled some new scarves for the Village Knits Project (if you're interested, I brought several dozen back to the States with me!).

We pulled our van out of storage only to discover a little family of mice had made a home in the rear stow-n-go (insert shivers), middle stow and go, and drawer under the front passenger seat.  About the only compartment they didn't set up housekeeping was the one that holds the tire jack.

After many vacuuming sessions (dry and shampooing), wipe downs with Chlorox wipes, and deposits of peppermint soaked cotton pads, the van is now nearly back to its original condition.

It is also insured and the license up to date to drive again.  It's been in for an oil change and inspection.  It is nice to have our own familiar 'wheels' again!

We enjoyed worshiping our first Sunday at Crosswalk Fellowship our first Sunday, and sharing at Dillon Mennonite our second Sunday (I'll tell you, a church potluck is a great way to welcome a missionary back!).

Since we have returned Nathan turned a new digit in the tens column!  He's now a brand-new 40-year-old!  We celebrated with a coffee-flavored Buckeye/Block-O cake (all Reni's idea) with the family, then dinner, coffee, and a movie out with Steve and Rachel (something we rarely get to do in Albania -- anyone else have a birthday we can celebrate with you?)

We have traded in some of our threadbare and faded clothes for some newer replacements (Ellie, in particular was in need of some warm weather things in her new, taller size)! Somethings you can order online and have brought over to Albania -- other things are just better tried on.

One night we ate supper with our friends, the Bachmans.  Joe cooked us up some fantastic REAL hamburgers and Judy had a great spread of all the right cook-out fixings.  More important than the quality of the food was the quality of the fellowship.  We left with full hearts and full stomachs!

Another day we drove up to Aurora to introduce Xh and Herta to our friends, the Rinehimers who will be hosting them after Xh's surgery.  The Rinehimers provided us for lunch before Xh's MRI later that afternoon.

Above, Herta is pushing Xh to tell John and Erica (in English!) the names and ages of her family members from the photo book we made her.  We thought a photobook would be a great way for Xh to engage with new acquaintances here in the States as well as help her medical team see the environment from which she has come (and to which she will return).

We are so, so grateful for John and Erica's hospitality in sharing their spare room with Herta and Xhensila during the weeks of recovery she will have following her second surgery.  

As a side note, for those of you who have been following this story, the day after our meeting in Aurora, Xh met with the greater medical team and got the low down on the extent of her treatment plan.  From what we have heard from Jorid and Herta, it was a lot for Xh to absorb, and she was naturally fearful to hear the risks that her surgeries will present.  In the end, it is her decision whether or not to proceed.  Would you pray for her heart to sense peace?  While nothing is confirmed yet, it looks like she might begin traction on June 9...

All in all, it has been good to reconnect. Good to enjoy familiar things, and good to share about our life and friends in Albania with others.

Thanks for your patience between blog posts!  Hopefully the next one won't be so long coming!