I have an acquaintance who says she gets stir crazy when she has to visit family in Ohio, but for me, it's just what the doctor ordered. I was with my dad for a week, visiting friends and updating them on our lives and what's going on at PurityWorks, shopping with my sister (finding cute shoes for $10 a pair!), and generally "hanging out with the folks." Can't say I wasn't glad to get back to Florida weather, though. It was about 21 degrees when I left and 77 when I got home - whew!

You know, I just haven't thought enough about how important it is to stay connected to my "roots." Moving to Florida really isolated us, coming to a place with no friends, having to explain our life story over and over, wondering how to "break ground" in new relationships. It was so nice to be able to sit with people who already knew me, who celebrated success with me and cried with me over heartaches. Life is all about relationships—so why is it I get so caught up in tasking?

Today our DSL connection was down for awhile, and I immediately started to consider the possibility that I wasn't meant to do work online for a spell for good reason. I just got four more letters from orphan friends in the Ukraine, and spent some time writing back to these precious girls. Four letters off to the translator again, a teenage Ukrainian who makes $5 apiece for getting my letters into a condition where they can be read by the kids. Time well spent.

My head is divided in so many pieces right now. While I'm writing to Ukrainians, I'm considering the wardrobe items I still need for Nigeria in a few weeks. I called the hospital this AM to figure out how to get my malaria meds. I have a little girls' ministry event next Saturday and am organizing (with my ten-year-old, who is sometimes enthusiastic, sometimes more interested in XBox) supplies, schedule, and help.

AND we just bought a house! Can you say "finally"? It's down the street from our main church family and in a new community right across from the pool (not to mention it's a "Steinbeck" model—how can a writer beat that?). Yea! Hello, equity, goodbye, money-down-the-pipes! Now, if I can just get over the fact that we have to move right after we get home from Africa, when I have jet lag, a major ballet production and two girls' birthdays. (Aaaaah! Make it stop!)

Truly, we're blessed. God continues to teach me to "walk on the waters of my chaos" and look at Him, always at Him. All this will pass, but when we look back we will remember the incredible richness of our lives (OK, not financially, but it's not all about money, is it??).

Keep praying for us. Obviously there is a lot going on, and there are always more surprises when you wake up in the morning and say, "What today, God?" But we know it's all good, and part of accomplishing His purposes in our generation.

And a great big "hello" along with big hugs for all the friends from Ohio and Indiana. You are truly precious to us. May God watch between us until next time! Much love -