We made it home!

Sorry it's taken so long to write again!! I do want to report that we made it safely back to the US on the 30th of September arriving at JFK airport at about 4:30pm Belfast time or 11:30pm Turkey time. Our luggage weighed considerably more on the return trip though we didn't go overboard in buying gifts. Some we will be sharing with the church and others with friends. As we walked into the airport I was struck by the many different languages I was still hearing but also by the signs and conversations that I could now understand. I loved the experience of being in someone else's home but it was really good to get back home!

We made it through customs without a problem - though just like in Belize they asked if I had ever been to New Mexico because evidently a "David Abbott" has and they want to talk with him - and headed to Jet Blue to wait for our flight to Portland that was leaving at 9:55pm. Talk about a long lay over!

Being hungry we went to "cheeseburger, cheeseburger" and ordered cheeseburgers!! Greasy, fatty, and delicious! I got the serious one and Lisa was far smarter and went a little smaller. The clock finally ticked 9:55 and we headed for Portland. I am assuming we had a smooth take off because after being awake for some 22.5 hours I fell asleep before we left the ground and didn't wake up until we were over Maine!

We loaded the car and drove to Belfast, arriving at 1:35am - just short of 18 days after we had headed for our adventure in Turkey. It wasn't until 3am that we went to sleep and then got up at 9am with the hopes of readjusting quicker....needless to say it has taken a few days to really get back in the swing of things...

Don't worry, I've got plenty of adventures from Turkey to share and a few reflections as well. I am still trying to understand the impact of this adventure and blessing that we had from, and with, God.

On a note...thanks to the many who have followed along and kept us in your prayers during this time. It's been very powerful to be able to share it with you and to feel surrounded by God's love through you!

Second note - the picture is taken on one of the roads that Paul would have used in the community known as Laodicea (Rev. 3:14-22). There are chariot tracks that have worn into the stones! It's also hear that we found a great many sea shells...which is amazing because the place is so dry! However in the first century it was a very fertile place with the water much closer than today!