First World Joys

Returning to my home country briefly has been an interesting experience. I can’t tell you how many times the excitement has hit me as I realized… “I can drink the water!” “I can brush my teeth with tap water!” “Whoa! There’s hot water in the sink! What a novelty!” (At “home” we only have hot water for one of our showers, none of the sinks). And “dryers are so cool! You can get more laundry done, faster, and you don’t have to depend on the weather to cooperate!”

Every time I am able to enjoy a convenience, I try to remember to be thankful. Living overseas is definitely a lot more challenging, although it is rewarding in its own way. Now that we’ve learned to navigate their transportation system and online shopping overseas (the way most people purchase just about everything), we feel much more adept. But still, while I am here, I will continue to be thankful for and enjoy these little things that people here probably never even notice. Maybe the next time you realize you don’t have to worry about the tap water making you sick…or you’re elbows-deep in hot, sudsy water, take a moment to praise the Lord for the wonderful blessings He has given.