I'm back

My my, my here I am writing on my blog after a month of a new year has already run down to an end.  I am sitting in my living room after "the snow storm" which was really more ice than snow.  I enjoy having to hunker down and snuggle in when the weather doesn't permit much going to and fro outside.  Tom and I did venture out a little but really the ice didn't make for very nice walking.  We had the blessing of not loosing our power so we cleaned, cooked, baked, read, watched movies and ate.  Did I tell you we ate?  What is it about being stuck in on a winter day that makes you want to eat a lot?  Overall it has been a nice few days of rest since Tom and I are catching up from our 11 day trip to Africa. We both felt great last Sunday after a good night sleep but all week the travel slowly caught up to us. 

We did have a wonderful trip and met so many nice people.  The countries we visited were interesting and different, and the landscape so rugged.  The people floored me with their  strength and beauty.  How hard so many of these people work just to get water and make food.  We don't think so much about that when we turn on our faucets and stand in our hot showers or use our electricity that is on all the time.
    This isn't my first trip to foreign lands but I am always being reminded with each trip that we are blessed with so many creature comforts here in America.  If you have never left our blessed USA you may not realize all the comforts we have that so many other parts of the world don't even know to dream about.  I like on these trips that I don't have a tv to watch,cell service or internet all the time.  I like that I miss a meal or have to try different foods. I like that I have to sleep without controlled heat or air.  It's uncomfortable at the time and I may get a little grumpy, however it is such a good reminder of my blessings at home that so much of the time I don't think about. 
One thing I have determined.  God is everywhere.  He is in South America, Central America, North America, Europe, Asia, Africa,  the moon....EVERYWHERE. He is doing work in peoples hearts all the time.  God's love brings joy in grand homes, small apartments, and in dirt huts. The thing that God cares about is the hearts of people.  He's got you where you are for a purpose.  He knows all about your situation.  Whether you are a wealthy business person ,a struggling single mom, a terminally ill patient, a farmer, or an average blue collar family. Maybe you're a refugee away from your home. God is with you and wanting you to know He loves you.  It's all about Him.  He has a plan for you no matter where you are.  I am always excited to go on a trip but always glad to get home.  I am grateful for where God has me.