You know what they say about assumptions

We've all heard the saying, right? (No need to repeat it here) When we assume, we cheat others out of sharing their own truth. Many folks are making assumptions about our return to NC, while others cry with us.

• Many assume that we can't wait to get back to NC.
• Many assume that the girls can't wait to go to "real" high school.
• Many assume that life in Mexico is harder than in NC
• Many assume that life will be easier back in NC.
  

Those that assume are almost always the ones who have never been on a mission trip to Mexico. Those who have been here with us know ...

• that it will break our hearts in many ways to leave;
• how hard it will be for us to NOT to be there when the final touches are put on the facilities at Las Manos de Cristo medical clinic;
• that there's a kind of teenage safety the girls have here where there is virtually no peer pressure to drink, smoke, try drugs or other kinds of risky teenage behavior;
  
• how hard it will be to do our own laundry again;
• how much we would love to be there for the every day operation of Las Manos de Cristo;
• how much we'll miss $2.45 gas prices, cheap and perfect avacados, mangos and pineapple;
  
• how hard it will be to fight the temptation to fuss about the trappings of traditional church;
• how fun it is to watch someone else get their face slammed in a birthday cake and how much fun it is to sing las mañanitas at midnight;
  
• that teenage romances torn apart by moves are really heartbreaking;
• how much we will miss our brothers and sisters in Christ here in Mexico and
  
• why it will be such a teary ride home --- all 5 days of it.
  

We are grateful for those who know, and we ask that those who assume to try to understand. We know and understand that lots of people can't imagine that we moved here in the first place. They can't imagine moving to southern Mexico, leaving great jobs, leaving family, church and friends, so it's logical to assume that we would be chomping at the bit to get back to all those things.

The assumptions aren't entirely false either. Yes, it's true that we can't wait to...

• Be able to spend regular and more frequent time with Ginny's dad, John's sisters and their families, and other loved ones.
  
• Be able to understand every word in the sermon and to sing every word in the songs
• Be able to rejoin the church choir
• Get a real haircut
• Never again have to climb on the roof to restart the water heater or take cold showers
  
• Never again slam into another topé going 30 mph
  
• Go to family reunions again
  
• To have a community of support with whom we can have deeper discussions without language barriers getting in the way
  
• And to reconnect more frequently with those we know and love in the US
  

We can't wait to get home to NC for some things, but please understand...now we have 2 homes.