"Honey, I'm home" : )

Back in fresh winter smelling Michigan. Oh joy. I say that truthfully. It's good to be home, but I have mixed emotions. I didn't want to leave and I know now I want to go back. Afterall, I didn't get to try the orange ice cream with pistachios, almonds, cardamom, cinnamon, and saffron, and probably some more tastey things! No, seriously, the people there are so kind and they really want the truth...and talking to them about God's Kingdom has strengthened my faith. Seeing firsthand how they live made me think how much more so we need Jehovah to take action so we can clean this place up and make it beauty-full again!
Africa was full of adventures yet to be taken and lessons learned. We all learned to not expect anything to happen smoothly (TAB - That's Africa Baby) that way you won't be let down in the end, no regrets. Also to take the good with the not so good and run with what you've got. It's not about what you want it's about what you've already been given. Jehovah provides what you need. Life is a lot more simple when you think of it that way. In this part of the world we are sooo bombarded with advertisements and constant "needs" that are not that important in the long run. We are also very spoiled and have so much excess that gets wasted and thrown away. Some people probably have enough food in there trash cans to at least feed a family.
I visited homes that had barely nothing in them, but they were filled with life and love and happiness. The people are what make them that way.

I've been doing a lot of reflecting on what I want to with my life.....who knows what the future holds.
I had my green salad I'd been craving for the longest time from Panera and a vanilla Chai from lovely Chels, went to Target, and I think I got all the paint out of my hair : ) from the high pressure shower so it's off to bed for me.

I think I'm doing okay with this whole jet lag thing...we'll find out tomorrow!

Goodnighters,
~Jillian

p.s. - my proofreading Mom told me I had some dates messed up and sure enough she was correct - those September dates were quite awhile back, just pretend they say 1/the correct date/09 mmk? : )
I'll update the continuation of my trip later. following the meeting Tuesday night there were many adventures, like going to a third world country hospital, the dedication, visiting the Tanzania branch, & Zanzibar!!! The photos are coming, too.