Tieing Up Those Strings

Altotonga, Mexico -- I would just like to note that there has been marimba music outside my house for a couple of days, and I like that and will miss that.

Ok, so since I last wrote there has been a bit going on.

First, I survived the attack of the dentist. In fact, I just came from there. But seriously, that was waaaaaay to much time almost vertical in that chair with a light shining in my face and all sorts of drills and needles going in my mouth. By the time Saturday rolled around, I was swollen, and holding my face, on lots of tylenol, and talking without moving my lips. But I am recovered now (PS: I went today because one of the fillings chipped a good deal... and he also found it necessary to file my teeth from the inside. Granted, I couldn't get that string stuff up in there beforehand and now I can...).

We also had a couple of fun days with the kids, including a sleep over for the girls. They've really gotten into the game Dutch Blitz... they go INSANE over it. Who would have thought? That and Phase 10.Also, I've been trying to get everything down to 2 suitcases (that will be fuller than any suitcase I've ever packed)... because as you know, the moving date will change, but ALSO now, I'll be making pretty much the move by myself. I'm not daunted or upset about it, just being fluid. As it turns out, no one will be able to make it to Reynosa to pick me up, so I get to take a bus over the border into McAllen and then take a bus that at least gets me to New Braunfels, if not thereabouts. All in all, it'll be a long weekend and many, many hours spent in a bus.

So, I've been trying to get as much as I can into 2 suitcases instead of 3 (which I had, more as backup)...Yesterday, my table, water table (it the thing that holds the water jugs and is handy for kitchen towels) and my bed went bye-bye (sleeping on an air mattress now). Tomorrow the file cabinet, my wood table (it's not that fancy) and... oh, the rack to hang my clothes, and possibly the stove goes. Sigh.

Monday the couch set, and then it'll be empty.The kids are pretty sad about all this... it's hard for them, and it's hard for me to know it's hard for them.

Saturday will be our last "Saturday" together, and I know exactly what I want to share at this last time together. I know it'll be nostalgic for them... good thing I have a supply of kleenex (thanks Vonda!).

Anywho, last night I did debriefing with myself, which is good for helping to close out time here (for myself) and good preparation for the move that will take place... the changing of cultures, customs and habits... there's a good book for missionaries called "Re-Entry" that I'm reading through... it helped me out the first time coming back... There is often reverse culture-shock and just other things that you don't realize-- you would assume that it would be natural just going back, but while you're away you change so much and people back home also change. So, anyway.

I'm not stressed about it, just trying to be smart and prepared for it, to make it as easy as possible.So, in this next week, I finish packing up, make my rounds visiting people and saying goodbye and then head back.

I'll spend a week in New Braunfels, at the office and with the Briles and also have a speaking opportunity there. And then I'll head and visit some friends who are just excellent, excellent people. Em, as I call her, and I went to India together all 3 times, and we've stayed in close contact all this time. She now has a little baby and her husband, who is Indian, they are wonderful WONDERFUL people and are ministering among the Indian population where they live, and it is very exciting to see what God is doing with and through them. And then I'll be back home, where I will be very excited to see my family and all of you people!