Confessions

We've been all together in a tent for 6 weeks now and other than a few minor tent and airbed repairs, we are all in one piece. For more descriptions and pictures scroll down- we've been unconnected for several weeks so I'm posting multiple ones now.)
So okay, confession.... somehow I envisioned this trip as not only an introduction for the kids to American culture and a chance to experience the wilderness and God's creation for an extended period of time, but also I saw myself waking up for the sunrise each morning. I saw myself spending hours sketching some of the sights that we were seeing and having long quiet times of reflection about our time in Bundibugyo and conversations with God about our future. Somehow in my mind's eye I am alone or with Kev as we look at vista upon vista.
Reality yet again crashes in and over my expectations as four smallish high energy children bounce around me. We have had a wonderful time-- but each morning I find myself begging for a few more minutes of warm, deep sleep and my contemplation of the incredible extravagance of God's creation occurs with a 35 pound pre-schooler strapped to my back whispering "Wow!" in my ear and holding the hand of an eager 9 year old as he yet again wanders too close to the edge of a cliff. And in an unexpected and yet expected way a far more beautiful thing happens- a 45 minute conversation with my child about the things that are important to him, peppered with "Wows! and Look Mommy!" from my other son. And I have time to listen to his dreams and to look and share their amazement.
We are still waiting to see that "writing on the wall" for what our future holds, but our wondering about what's next for our family hasn't stopped us from simply being here now, enjoying this grand adventure for what it is and being thankful for each other and this time to re-focus on our family and our God.