The other night, Justin and I were having dinner here in Tennessee at a wonderful restaurant called Bell Buckle Cafe. We took our teammates there when they came to visit. Yes, we think that much of it! It is actually located in Bell Buckle, TN. Can’t get any better than that. **Sidenote: We have just one more night that we have open while here to eat out if we wanted. I told Justin tonight I want to go back there. Yep, just a few nights after the last time we ate there. It is just so amazing!** So, as we were eating, Justin asked me what I was most excited about in these next 2 upcoming weeks before we leave for Costa Rica. Without hesitation, I knew what that was for me:
BEING WITH OUR TEAM AGAIN!!!
Now, I have to say, I am definitely sad to be leaving the people here in TN that have welcomed us in, loved on us, cared for us, fed us physically, emotionally, and spiritually, and prayed for us. They have taken over a place in my heart, and we are so grateful for that. Despite this, I told Justin I just cannot explain the excitement I have for seeing our entire team again all at the same time. Really, it’s for several reasons:

*I can’t wait to have some girl time with Tara, Stacy, and Stephanie,
*I love to watch the guys all interact as they joke with one another, encourage one another, laugh, and pray together (from what I hear, they have a mock “Olympics” all planned out for themselves to be held in College Station before we leave. Pretty much, they’re crazy.),
*It will be priceless to see all 7 of our kids begin to develop what we hope are lifelong relationships with one another,
*I LOVE having worship time with these people,
*I laugh more with them than I do with almost any other group of people,
*I will have work-out partners again!,
*Justin and I will be around others that support us and hold us accountable in our marriage and as parents to Cailyn,
and
*The work that God has called us all to is finally beginning (at least internationally!)

Honestly, I could continue this list, but for your sake, I won’t. I just had the urge to share the excitement that is welling up within me with someone. As each day passes, I grow more and more in love with the path God has for our lives at this time. I pray that in return for you as well. May God grant you the ability to surround yourselves with people who encourage you to do the will of our Creator - whether in your home in the US, or in Peru!