World Travelers

The girls and I recently returned to the states for two weeks.  I had several weddings to shoot, and after much discussion we decided it would be best if they came along and Arianna stayed in Kijabe.  It was interesting seeing them at “former home” – they have grown and matured dramatically this year.  They did fantastic traveling, and by the first day off the plane I was calling around to find friends for them to play with!

Annabelle jumped straight back into life as if she had never left.  She loves shopping and McDonalds, and was very happy to be back in America.  Especially about getting her ears pierced with Aunt Alli!

Madeline was a bit more reserved with her friends.  She played and had fun, but I could see her holding back just a bit.  She still loves her BFF’s, but seemed to be guarding her heart, knowing that this was just temporary.  Interestingly, when she really did open up was with family. . .that’s when her full smile and unreserved nature emerged.

One marker of the amazing new life we have was a conversation about Disney World.  If you are an American kid, Disney is the pinnacle of excitement and awesomeness.    But apparently Africa trumps Disney. . .when told about the adventure there, the girls eyes didn’t light up as they would have a year ago.  They just responded, “Oh,” and returned to playing a game.  They weren’t being rude, but the magic that is their everyday lives here apparently trumps Magic Kingdom.

Madeline with baby Arianna, new daughter of dear friends from Furman days.

Alabama BFF’s

Excited to see cousins.  One of the hardest things about being away is not seeing them grow.

I was fairly emotional this trip.  Sitting on the couch with family, playing drums with Chip, having dinner with friends, even shooting the weddings. . .they are little things that made up our former lives that suddenly have become priceless.  I wouldn’t trade our lives in Kijabe for anything, but it was hard to hold it together while in the midst of the loved ones we have left.  And it was definitely hard not being there with Arianna, we spent a lot of time with her best friends and family – awesome though it was, we missed her dearly.

The biggest emotional moment came at church.  I spoke at Sunday School for LCVH, our former congregation, and it actually went fantastic.  Until the very end, when I choked up and had to be rescued by Pastor!  But my emotion was real. . .we are so grateful for how much they continue to support us, and that a church where we feel at home and loved is one of the biggest voids in our Kijabe life.

On the way home, the girls an I took an extra day to explore Paris.  It was a great time, we rode up the Eiffel tower, took a bus around the city, and had the best waffle in the history of the universe.  Thanks Hannah & Aunt Sharon for the advice!!