We're Back!

We landed back in the States at 8 AM yesterday.  To say that it was a shocking experience would be an understatement.  Ethiopia and California are two completely different worlds.

From the minute we arrived at Bole International Airport in Addis, I began visualizing our trip home from the perspective of the kids.  How would they wrap their heads around such a monumental journey?  Would they be scared? Overwhelmed? What would they think? What would they be feeling?  By examining my own feelings as we made the transition from Ethiopia back to Ventura, the reality of that same trip for them a few months in the future really struck me.

Brent really nailed a huge difference as we drove back from L.A. to Ventura.  "Where are all the people?" he asked.  He was right.  Los Angeles felt desolate after walking and traveling the people-packed roads of Ethiopia.  In Ethiopia there are people EVERYWHERE, whether you are in the city or the country-side, people line the roads walking, fetching water, herding livestock, chatting, packed in cars and mini-buses, and watching the world go by.  Here we were in Los Angeles, one of the biggest cities in the U.S., and there wasn't a person in sight - except those driving solo with us on the freeway.  Today, more than 24 hours after we've been home, it still feels a bit lonely here.  Luckily Brent invited some people over tonight to see some pictures of our trip.  Hopefully we can make our home feel warm and inviting when we bring the kids home in January.

I promise to post about our entire trip over the next few weeks and provide LOTS of pictures.  Until I get started here are some of the best pictures of all - pictures of Ashagre and Elsa.  Enjoy!