Coming home... or at least back to the U.S.

Joel's parents greeted us at the airport and after hugs and tears drove us directly to a Mexican restaurant to appease our year long craving. We then spent a few days with Joel's brother, sister-in-law and nephews. They have been amazing to us this past year and have supported us in incredible ways. They kept our vehicles, managed our finances, and loved our dog (even though he dug holes in their yard and escaped a few hundred times.) And Laurie served amazing meals - all of our favorites.

Now we've taken a few days to rest, reflect and be alone at the Hanson family mountain home, the J's Nest. We've been back a little over a week - and I have to say we're still adjusting. It's tough. Tougher than I thought it'd be. What's the hardest part? I'm not sure I could pin point it to one thing. Maybe it's facing the harsh reality of our culture - the stuff, the constant want for more, and the focus on self; maybe it's the way we look at things now - what we used to think was poverty, now looks rich; maybe it's the solitude of our society - we're side by side, but in our own worlds - so far from community or personal interaction;

or maybe it's what we're missing - mornings hearing Tia and Tio, receiving hugs and tight squeezes from 40 children each day, laughing with the workers as they give us grace with our spanish speaking skills, hearing Buenos Dias from every person we pass by in the city, driving the kids to school in the bus each day, watching the amazement as kids pull carrots from their garden, buying cake that Yuli and Rocio made in their baking class, crying with kids who want to be adopted and are still waiting for the right family, watching the children learn new skills, being human jungle gyms for the boys, and knowing that every day we woke up - it would be one of the best days of our lives.

...maybe it's what we're missing.

Leaving Peru

There is so much more to tell about our year here - so many more pictures to show and blogs that never were written.

Packing, last minute training and good-byes. Whirlwind of emotions - happy and sad. I'd add a picture - but it would show the mascara running down my cheeks.

Our bus leaves Trujillo Thursday morning at 8:30 a.m. It's hard to believe a year has come and gone - an amazing journey.

We have so much more to share - the blog's not over, so stay tuned.