airport pants

There have been several reminders over the last few day of preparing for four weeks in America that our kids are not very American in their culture.

First, we wear all skirts, all the time, and nothing but skirts and occasional shorts at home. This weekend, I pulled each of our solitary pair of pants off the top shelf of the closet and washed them, and as I was hanging them out on the line, all three girls, on separate occasions, EACH said, "Oh yay! Airport pants!"

Pants, otherwise known as Airport Pants, mean we are going to America, folks :)

Thankfully, the awesome missions' committee at CrossPoint thought ahead about what we would need, and reminded me about the carseats they are loaning us. Yesterday, as the kids and I drove out to visit our dear friend Guesica, Nora, who hasn't been in a carseat since last time we were in America, was lecturing Ben, "Ben-Ben, in 'Merica, you have to sit in a high chair all the time in the car, and buckled up for safety, all the time, and you are going to cry, but that is ok."  So I guess we are ready for carseats.

As Matt and I have tried to get them excited about American food (because let's face it, that's like the number one thing he and I are excited about), they have reminded me that American food is OUR home food, not theirs.

"What kind of rice and beans does 'Merica have?" Nora wants to know, and Lily and Sofie have made us promise that we can eat at Chipotle (where they will get a bowl of rice and beans) or at Mexican places (where they will get rice and beans) or at an Indian restaurant, where they will get, yes, rice and beans.  They can eat whatever they want.  I am not eating rice and beans.

On the way home from Leme's yesterday, as the girls were chattering again about the trip (the challenging security situation in Haiti has had us SO home-bound and restricted in Haiti this year that they are just so anxious to simply get out and do something), I asked them what they were most excited about.

"FLYING!" Lily yelled immediately.

"Why?" I asked, a little confused (because the traveling part is sure not what mama is most looking forward to!)

"Because we get to be SO close to SO many people for SO long!"

Just, WOW.

She is the most Haitian of our children, for sure. This VERY element of public transportation, which most people from my home culture (including my husband!) just DETEST, is Lily's very favorite thing, ever since this:

Mama's got six people packed for four weeks in three bags, we have done 90% of the million little things that needed done, including the dogs, keys, the lessons, finishing office projects, the Bible studies, returning things, final packing, cleaning, putting away more laundry, and more cleaning. 

And playing.

 Wednesday Bible study was at Julie's today...thankful for this crew. Matt taught a bit on Mardi Gras (coming up next week) and the freedom we have in Christ...and why.  

Good-byes are not my strong suit, so we set up intentional time with a few people, like these precious friends, who have promised to wait the baby till we get back March 12, we are focusing our goodbye's on Micheline, and are sticking to "see you soon!"

A dear friend mentioned that I could take a rest from the blog for the month if I wanted, but the reality is that writing through life helps me find all the joy in the days, helps me see Him at work, helps me process what He's doing, and keeps you in the know of how to pray...

so as we do something new for a few weeks--rest--come with us if you want.  

Thank you for those travel prayers...we are only going to Florida, but have three flights tomorrow and a long day!