In between countries

Australia to USA to SE Asia

I'm in the States!  Helloooooo free refills of sweet tea!  My blood sugar has officially gone
 up 50 points :)

you can't have sweet tea without eating meat and vegetables cooked in fat

(this is North Carolina pork barbecue, mac and cheese, and green.......you notice that shine?  it's the grease)

Being in the States was amazing over Christmas.  I forgot how much we go all out for it!  Here, we took my nephews to a light display....this picture shows about 1/8 of what was really out there

Here, my brother-in-law and nephew are enjoying the train ride around the lights

I couldn't help putting up my nephew's first manger scene 

My whole family gets together for Christmas and New Year's.  Even though there are times we want to pull out our hairs (and others' hair), there were moments like this.  The two boys and two of the three girls are checking out the otters.....SO CUTE!

For those of you who do not know my family, let me educate you on where I come from:  a bunch of drama queens :)

For New Year's Eve, we acted out a Murder Mystery.  You had the mourning Italian mom, the gypsy, the Italian mobsters, and of course a priest (my dad).  I love that I don't come from a quiet, normal family

The Big Trip!

Since I needed to be in Texas, I decided to make a visiting trip out of it.  I drove over 2 weeks, stopping  9 times (not including the time I was forced to stop....by the cop) in 4 different states.  

As I looked back on this trip, I realized that I only had to pay for 3 meals.  Everywhere I turned, I was blessed by people.  I am extremely grateful to be in the family of God!!

First stop

Tennessee

My brother and sister-in-law

PLUS

neices

Second stop

Alabama

Here,  I got a chance to speak to my Uncle's church about what I'm doing in other countries

Third Stop

Alabama

My cousin's

I got a chance to talk about what I will be doing in SE Asia to a group of 3-6th graders.  I'm the one with the wrapped head

Forth Stop

Texas

my DTS 10 year reunion

I love this story.  When I began to plan this reunion, several people warned me that when other DTS classes did this, only a few showed up.  Well, 26 people showed up to this one....I guess I had a pretty amazing DTS class. Thanks guys!

Fifth Stop

Alabama

I decided to visit the town I grew up in: Pell City

I got to see some old friend and even a girl I grew up with (below).  She died recently in a motorcycle accident and I wanted to honour her by putting this up

Sixth stop

Alabama

I forgot how much family I had in Alabama.  I LOVED seeing everyone.  Everywhere I turned, my family kept blessing me.  Here, my cousin (below) gets me a birthday cake.  I love you guys!

here are some great cousins.  

Ok, I must stop here and describe an experience I had with the cousin on the right.  It's called "Jiggling".  This "Jiggling" is a machine you stand on.  The machine doesn't look TOO intimidating. It's a platform with side and front rails to hold on to (it looks like a tredmill without the belt). Then you stand on it. You turn it on.  "This isn't too bad" you think as the platform you're standing on begins to tilt right and left slowly.  Then it happens.  It gets faster and faster and you begin to feel this vibration in your legs, your arms, you stomach.  Next thing you know, every fat particle on your body is.......jiggling.  "OOOOO....K" is what you're thinking by now.  You don't want to look around because you're convinced the whole room is staring at the flabs of fat that now feel like they're about to hit you in the face.  You keep going.  10 minutes later, it's done.  "WHOO!", it's over.  You step off the platform only to discover that once you step on the ground, the ground isn't under you (or so it feels).  You try to walk and it feels like you're barely touching the ground.  So, to compensate, you lift up you knees even higher with each step.  Now, you're walking like you're preparing to run away. 

And THAT my friends, is jiggling.  

Seventh stop

Alabama

my uncle

Here I got the chance to speak at his church again...this time for the whole service on Wednesday night.  What a blessing.  This church was amazing and responded greatly to the message.  I was so encouraged to see a church  so focused on missions.

  

Eighth stop

Tennessee

My brother's

Ninth stop

North Carolina

My friends at the lake house (thank you!!)

To wrap up, I had to post these three pictures. The first here is for you if you don't live in the States.  Here is how we shop.....this is an entire row of cereal....nothing but cereal.  YEP!  we like our choices!

The last pic is for those who make fun of me for how much butter I eat.  This is a bowl of rice I had made for my dad and I.  My dad asks if I mind if he put some butter in is.  Of course I didn't.  But when I turned around, this is what I saw.....a half of stick of butter melting in a very small bowl of rice.  

This proves it!  I am genetically prone toward butter!

Finally, what a true Southern potluck looks like!

Just so you will know, I will be in the States for several months.  I am paying off some debt, being with family, and speaking about missions.  

Until next time!!!!!!