Spoiled Rotten!

After a very busy and exhausting wrap-up month in Ghana, we have made it to the States!  We've been here about 5 days and we are so thankful.  We are also very cold and still trying to figure out how to sleep past 5 AM.  But, mostly we are thankful.

We arrived to an airport full of friends.  After a nice meal with about 5 of our favorite families, our parents took us to the mission house where we'll be staying for the next 5 months.  They had picked up the key and added all sorts of welcome touches.  My mother-in-law had invited several of the girl's friends over a few days before our arrival, and they had put up a Christmas tree and all sorts of decorations.  They also filled the cabinets with all sorts of food, paper goods, and other items.  The beds were made up with clean linens and we even had new winter pajamas and slipper socks waiting for us on each bed.  We are very, very blessed and we have felt very loved and cared for all week long!

It's been a busy week of purchasing some cold weather clothes and making a few Christmas preparations.  But, there has also been some time for rest and just delighting in the fact that we aren't responsible for so many folks for a little while.  It's been a great week of decompressing and we look forward to visiting friends, family, and many of you who have prayed for and encouraged us in the weeks ahead.

 Here's our Christmas tree, which my mother-in-law was able to find at the last minute for $15, at the Goodwill!  The ribbon around it is covered with Sharpie messages from kids in each of the SS classes that my children consider "their" class.

 Everyone, even Ryan and I, had a welcome sign on the wall above our beds.

 That OJ got a squeal.  Along with the cheese, seedless grapes, bacon, and Dr. Pepper

Pa's couponing efforts sure did benefit us this week!  We haven't even had to venture into the grocery section of a store yet.