Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Final Thoughts

We are all so excited about our return. Tomorrow we will be back in the wonderful US of A! Jane & Chase have told me that they look forward to "familiarity" once again -- being with people who have known them for years, not repeating the initial conversations we have when we first meet people, having a history. I know lots of folks who'd like to get away from that! But once you've been without, you find yourself wanting.


Don't be misled if our family comes back to Orinda and heads in five separate directions. We still love each other, but can't wait to go our own way a little. Imagine being together for three meals a day, everyday, for 10 months.

I kept a few notes along the way of tidbits I learned or just thought about. Here are a handful:


The past is done, tomorrow may not come, but do for today what will bless someone and all will end well.

Everyone is busy, but those who take time for others can touch lives.

The getting’s in the giving.

We are human beings, not human doings (what matters is who we are, not what we do).

To live without good lighting and mirrors is to appreciate your aging face with more grace.

Often the big ideas of servanthood are greatest in the smallest moments of everyday life.

Bidets are indispensable . . . where else would one put their toilet kit?

People think their routine lives are boring, but we find happiness in the reminder of it.

Our world (and myself as part of it) is suffering from selfishness. We’ll only know moments of freedom from the consequences when we follow in the steps of the only one who ever overcame it – Jesus. To do as He would do, even with seemingly great sacrifice to ourselves, is to experience joy & peace as God planned.

Never again will we have so many photos of us taken in one year.

Parting is easier when we remember that saying goodbye means we have said hello.

The prayers of God’s people have carried us through ten months without so much as a cold, a transportation accident, or any unseen tragedy.

Though we travel the world over to find the beautiful, we must carry it with us or find it not . . . Ralph Waldo Emerson

4 comments:

cook4seasons said...

You have touched our hearts, provoked our imaginations, and tickled our funny bones. We would be honored to have a meal with each and every one of you...soon!! XOXO

jodi said...

Hey Colleen and crew, It was a joy and pleasure to walk vicariously through your adventure. Praises to the One who carried you all along, opened your hearts and minds, and challenged you out of the comfort zone. May these memories,places and faces become part of your life stories forever. This trip was a gift given to you all at a time such as this. Cherish it! Hope we will one day cross paths again and have some quality time together. in His love, Jodi and the Spiels

cesar said...

Mis queridos amigos:
Ha llegado el momento de volver a casa!
Y lo primero que pienso es en lo afortunados que son vuestros amigos de Orinda que podrán compartir con vosotros horas de charla sobre vuestro viaje!!
Me dan mucha envídia!
Hemos seguido vuestro blog con interés; qué digo interés: con pasión!........y siempre me parecían pocas fotos, breves comentarios, escasas palabras de Charly, Mary o Chase, mínima información... Cualquier cosa nos ha sabido a poco.
Y lo peor será que con el retorno a vuestras vidas perderemos este maravilloso (aunque insuficiente) medio de comunicación que ha sido 5 Blest.
No tendremos más remedio que visitaros pronto!
OS QUEREMOS MUCHO AMIGOS!

Unknown said...

Hey you guys, I hope the re-entry was gentle to you! Know you have been with us in spirit and I LOVE the final thoughts. When things settle down, want the whole scoop on MP and Galapagos! abrazos galore.