My Buddy

Big news...I have an insulin pump!

This little guy is pretty much my new best friend. We are attached at the hip...literally.

It is called an omnipod and it gives me insulin all the time and I don't need to give shots. I wear this for three days and then I put a new one on it a different spot. I'm really excited because shots were getting old anytime I wanted to eat something!

More updates on how life is really going soon.

Blessed

JOB - check : Nurse on the cardiovascular ICU at the Nebraska Medical Center

CAR - check: 1999 Toyota Camry. Hey, we have 2 camrys with high mileage, but at least we have two cars!

HOUSE - check: Rockbrook area in center of Omaha. LOVE IT!

I'm choosing to be thankful for all the things mentioned here. The Lord has really provided for us. I love our home! The job can be hard at times but I guess what job isn't? Thankful to have one in these times.

So, what else is going on?

Here is the honest truth. We are struggling. Readjustment is hard. No other way to say it. And the hardest part is...very few understand. Family, friends...many don't get us or why we aren't super happy to be back. We are happy to be back, but it's not the same. We are different, everyone else is different. I come back and I don't understand why everything has to be so fast paced around here. Why do we have to constantly be on the go? I feel like my schedule is constantly full, but is it full of meaningful things?

Why when I come back here, I feel like I don't fit in? I don't want to blame the other people...I think it is me. I know there is re-entry culture shock, but it seems to come in waves. Sometimes I'm fine...other days I'm not. I long for the joy of the people in Mali, I miss the simplicity of life, I miss being always aware of other peoples needs instead of always focusing on my "needs". Often what I need here, I don't really need.

I could go even deeper and keep processing through this blog, but I'll save that for another time. I'll end this with what was going through my head tonight. Even through this really difficult time, I'm still blessed. I'm so thankful that Dusty and I got to go to Mali. Thankful for the experience. And as we go through these tough times, I'm glad we aren't alone.

So that's it for tonight. I'm one messed up person. But thanks for all of you who love me anyway! :)

Some hand and feet warmers, please...

We are BACK! What a journey it has been! I don't know where to start, or what to start with.
One of the main things is that we are trying to find a house. Here is a look back at our previous homes:

Our Home in Mali --->

Our first home was in an apartment....

<----

So we are trying to find a house, a car and I need a job. Some days I'm really overwhelmed. Other days I feel the Lord holding me. I didn't think it would be this hard to come back. But things are different. I'm different. I still have a hard time putting things into words

While I'm not a huge fan of New Years Resolutions, I've made a few goals for this year:

1) Follow my "Be Healthy" plan. I don't like diets, so I'm doing a few things to just be healthier. More to come about that later.

2) Find things to be thankful about every day! - Dusty and I try to say something every night before bed.

3) Run in a race - either 10k or half marathon. - All part of my "be healthy" plan.

All of these go follow the get a house, car and job plan. Yikes! I have my work cut out for me....