So we’re back in Texas, and the #1 question that is asked us is “what do you think was God’s purpose for sending you to Rwanda?” It’s been about 6 weeks and to be honest, we are still working on the answer. I do know that our relationship was strengthened far beyond anything a counselor could have done, our communication is great, and we have experienced trusting each other in a way that most newlyweds (or married couples of 30 years) may never experience. A friend of mine and I agree that every married couple should spend 3 months in a foreign country where you don’t know anyone and you don’t speak the language (she and her husband did it as well). It is an incredible thing for your marriage and I highly recommend it. I had no idea that our relationship could have gotten any stronger, our communication this much better, and that we would possibly be able to trust each other any more than we already did… oh man, was I wrong.
I’m also pretty sure that I was sent there to learn how to be a better pastor’s wife. It’s really no easy task regardless of what continent you’re on. Someone should put out a manual or something. I pretty much married into it with my pearls shined and my cardigans dry-cleaned, and though I don’t like to admit it, there is a piece of me that wants to learn how to quilt. But there’s a lot more to it than that. Luckily, I have a great husband who lets me pitch fits every now and again in private so I can maintain the smiles in public.
So here we are, completely reintegrated into our lives and moving forward.
[We both experienced a couple weeks of depression (diagnosed in hindsight) and it took about a month to be able to eat Mexican food or cheeseburgers without getting ill.]
We’re in the process of moving to Corpus Christi where Ryan will be serving a new church. I’m interviewing for PA jobs and am excited about the possibilities available there.
Did I mention that we have a great dane? Yeah. He’s enormous. A giant puppy that eats an absurd amount of food, trips on his oversized paws, and is just the cutest thing EVER. Lexi loves him too (I know you were wondering how she was taking to the new giant). We named him Latimer after our great friend in Rwanda.
His full name is:
His Excellency Sir Latimer Fancypants, Duke of the Snugglies.
(Don’t tell Ryan. He’s not crazy about it.)
So onward we go to the sparkling city by the sea where I look forward to starting my career, eating fresh seafood (caught by my husband, of course), and reconnecting with my best friend from elementary and jr. high school.
Hasta luego.
