The Adventures of Sticky- Steven + Niki

So we have been working hard to adjust back to life in the States. Our hearts are still tethered to Africa.   It will always will be such a huge part of our lives.We tried to watch the movie "Queen of Katwe" a few days ago, which is a Disney film set in Uganda. 3 minutes in my cheeks were soaked with tears. I balled. Steven said we'd better turn it off, just not ready for that yet. (But you should watch it! It's a very realistic portrayal of life in East Africa.) A huge part of us wants to be there so bad, and that was just a reminder. Here is where we are though, and here we want to thrive. Can't do that if we are always wishing we were elsewhere. We have to find a way to remember minus the great sadness.  Many lessons linger though. They're like distant echos beckoning us to live a better, simpler, more conscientious way of life.  People are probably really tired of hearing us talk about Uganda. I'm sorry if you've felt that way. (#sorrybutnotsorry  

Stop-Think-Appreciate Today is full of blessings, so much to count Many are priceless, they're worth no amount Others are tiny but precious indeed People will fail to notice, but will we take heed? Let's stop and appreciate what we have right now Some self reflection is the key to how...  How to have joy, when things seem bleak We have so much more, if we would just think... Do you have a bed to sleep in, a place to rest your head? How about something to eat, even a little bread? Do you have safe water to drink and to clean?  Do you have the freedom to speak, and say what you mean? Some sleep in the dirt, cold and afraid Their empty bellies ache, tired bodies in pain They have no help, no one to provide In their despair, all their tears have been cried But still when they wake they find reasons for smiles There hearts are still beating through all of the trails And they can have joy because they know the key The key is t

Transitioning to a first world country from a third world country after 2 years isn't as easy as it looks. Steven puts it well when he says "never have we had less". We came back with no congregation, no home, no car, no jobs, no furniture and very little possessions. When you haven't had a job that gives you a real paycheck in 2 years it's pretty challenging to get those things. It's been a rocky and slow start.  Just today I'm completely unpacking my suitcases for the first time in 3 months, because we have moved over 10 times between different people's homes. To say it's been a bit overwhelming, is to understate it. Where we thought we'd be by now is far away. I'll take just a few sentences to be competently realistic about this. Maybe it can help some who plan to serve where the need is great in a foreign country or are... To be frank, you will face tests upon coming back. We actually feel coming back is harder than it was to go to Ug