Since I've been gone...

...or since I've been home...(depending on how you look at it)

The transition home has gone well so far. I have re-connected with several friends here, kept in touch with many friends there, and find myself (pretty much) settled in to my room here at home. The cat has finally forgiven me for leaving her all this time, so I am back in her good graces. I'd show you a picture, but....well...she's not so patient with the picture taking. The dog, of course, welcomed me home right away - and didn't care at all about pictures...

It is also fun to be back in my home church, although I am still experiencing a little bit of western-mega-church-reverse-culture shock. Whew - I wasn't expecting that....its funny the things that seem so different. And I wasn't even gone that long!

My Dad's cousin paid us a surprise visit - bringing us a home-cooked meal one night. It was great to see her - and to have her around on Valentine's Day. Here we are..

And this weekend, my sister and family came to visit. I haven't seen them since I left for Israel - so it was nice to spend some time together and get caught up. My nieces have grown SO much! Take a look.... :)

Since I have returned home, I have seen the countless reasons why my decision was a good one. There are so many unknowns right now, and so many ways I can help just by being here. Already, my dad can now commit to go back to work a little (he had taken leave as the result of my mom's last surgery), and I can help with caring for my grandmother (she is 94 and lives with us). Also, my mom's health is so volatile right now. Just this week, sharp chest pains sent her to the emergency room, where she ended up staying overnight so they could monitor her heart. The reports came back clean (amen!) and so now we continue with the radiation treatments for her head. You just never know what each day is going to bring...so I am glad to be here.