Where to begin?

Well, it has been another whirlwind week. And it's not even over yet.

This week is VBS week at FCC. And Spencer is the point-man. Which means he is very busy and gone... a lot. It's okay though. We knew it would be like this before we got married. And I am a preacher's kid after all. I am used to long hours and church events all the time. But that doesn't make it any easier. It's hard to be newlyweds and just want to spend some time together, but be distracted by work, bills, events, phone calls, etc. One day we will get it worked out. And things will settle down.

As I have watched my husband (it still sounds so funny to say that) this week run VBS and hang out with kids of all ages, I have been reminded yet again of why and how I fell in love with him. He has such a heart for kids/youth and sharing the love of GOD with them that he just can't contain his excitement. I love watching him with the silly skits and songs. Especially when that big smile comes on his face and I can know that he is happy and serving in his own way. It makes me proud to be his wife and to get to go on the adventure of ministry with him.

Since coming home from our honeymoon, I have been busy trying to learn how to manage a house. Doing laundry, washing dishes, cooking meals and cleaning every day. As well as writing grocery lists, going grocery shopping, writing thank you notes and keeping track of our mail/bills (which strangely just ends up in piles on his desk just like my dads piles at home... hmm...). I have also been spending a lot of time reading (surprise, surprise) and watching movies as my escape into relaxation and boredom. But I have also been helping with VBS. I am a crew leader for 5 kindergartners and I do the missions updates for an ACMI family we are supporting. I have laughed at myself many times this week because I found that I have no idea how to talk about missions with little kids. I can talk missions with high schoolers and adults (including a board of professors or church elders), but to talk missions with little kids who have an attention span of about 10 seconds is not a talent/skill I have developed yet. So, needless to say... this week has been a learning week for me in various departments.

I have found that while I am incredibly happy being married and starting a new life of my own, I miss people. I miss my crazy, loud, big, wonderful family. I miss my college girls and our silly Dr. Seuss reading nights. I miss my co-workers at the Vee. I miss my wonderful friend Tami and the encouraging talks we would have. I miss my wonderful church family in Peru. I have some dear friends who are interning in Trujillo this summer and I am glad they are there serving and taking care of those I love. But it makes my heart ache seeing their pictures and just wanting to wrap those kids in my arms. It's such a strange feeling since I was so homesick and ready to leave Peru to come home. But now that it has been almost a full year since I left the States to live in Trujillo, I miss them more and more every day. I miss the sound of Spanish ringing in my ears. I miss the constant chatter of the restaurant at Rosi's. I miss the dirty hands and noses being wrapped in my hair as I get tackled by hugs. I miss the simple style of worship and Bible study. One day I will see it all again. Even if just for a week. I will see it again. I just know it.

So for now... I am learning new things. I am learning to be a wife. I am learning to be a homemaker. I am learning to talk about missions with little kids. And I am learning what it means to love and miss people in a whole new way. I am learning. And that's a good place to begin.