Recap...

We made it back.  And we are TIRED!  I guess that's what being up for 26 hours straight traverssing the globe does to you.  It was actually a good trip back and I just started feeling wiped out tired...which probably isn't a good way to start this blog.  Oh well. 

The bummer of the return trip was lost luggage.  When we reached customs in Seattle we were missing a bag.  I don't know how it didn't get on the plane!  Our layover in Seoul was over three hours.  Anyways, we are still waiting on that one.  Arriving in Tri Cities we had another bag not show up - so then it was two bags missing.  The airline just called and they found the one we actually saw in Seattle.  The green duffel is still floating around somewhere...at least all our dirty clothes made it home?  And we did have to make a trip to Safeway tonight for toothbrushes, deodorant and mascara.  I have never done that before - arrive home from a trip and have to go out and buy toiletries because of lost luggage.  I usually put all that stuff in the carry on and did on the way over, but I guess we got lazy or figured now we had more room in our suitcases.  Either way, at least we made it home.

It was an awesome trip.  I don't know how to describe it except say it was marvelous, encouraging and we feel incredibly blessed by this opportunity.  There is a lot to think about and process through, lift up to God and trust His leading, but we are incredibly thankful.  A bonus of the trip was that we got to see many (not all) of our friends who we know living over there.  It is amazing how common life experiences bind a friendship in a way so unique.  I love that we can stroll through neon lit streets, wrapped in scarves and immediately go deep.  Share our hearts, share our fears, talk it out with friends in deep and intimate ways.  It was so refreshing.  Dinner Saturday night was at one of our favorite restaurants and it was awesome.  Not just the food, but the conversation was deep, intellectual and inviting.  We sat and talked for over an hour after the last bite was eaten. *sigh* 

Don't get me wrong - these relationships exist in other places in our lives...but there's something special about our friends who live in China.  I think part of it is that we made the time to sit and talk for hours.  Our friends  we saw and stayed with cut out time in their only free weekend this month to spend it with us.  Shopping, eating and talking.  It's so hard back home in the States to take time to form deep relationships.  Everyone is busy - work, family, trips, commitments.  And we are no exception.  My first thoughts walking in the door were must do laundry, go shopping, eat dinner and do more laundry.  And it isn't going to get better anytime soon.   I feel that we have gotten better about pursuing others and being intentional in our friendships.  We love having people over for dinner or to play games.  Love going over to other people's homes for fellowship.  I just wish there was more of it.  Looking back to China (the year not just the last 10 days), the need for deep, intimate community is so much stronger because you are surrounded by unfamiliar things.  The longing to spew your heart and soul to someone else is almost necessary to survive.  I think we should do that no matter where we live, but back home life is so easy.  You are surrounded by things you understand, people who know (on some level) and the need to be known and to know others isn't as prominent.  I still think it's healthy and necessary to following God intimately (how can we live in community if we aren't living close enough to see each other's faults?), just harder to do in the States.  That's just my two cents and something I've been convicted about lately.  

Okay, back to the trip.  I feel I learned a lot this trip.  Each time I go I'm never ready for that aspect - that there's always more to learn.  But there is!  And learning these new facts about China and its people and culture open my eyes and tug at my heart so much more (I could write a whole post on it - maybe another time). Through these new revelations I'm also challenged in my faith to trust God with the big things and just follow Him.  Thinking about all the hurts and needs in China makes me ache and I have to trust that just by following Him I'm doing my part - and that He's not asking me to fix the hearts of the Chinese, that's His job.  I'm just supposed to follow.  I'm thankful for the 10 days I got to spend with Steven in China.  Together.  Yes it was fast, it was busy, we met a lot of new friends, caught up with old friends and walked our legs off - but we did it all together and that was so sweet.  I'm sad that part of it is over.  

I do have to say that I am excited to sleep in my own bed tonight and not wake up with bruises on my hips.  China beds are just way too hard.  And I can't help it - I like to sleep on my side.  Ouch - not a good combo.