Well, we've had our share of pre-travel stress over the past several days (and weeks)... But it seems that we're finally near the end.  Or is it just the beginning?  In any event -- our three-month odyssey to the United States of America begins in about 14 hours.

We're all very much looking forward to the time in our homeland (though some parts more than others).  Marci and I celebrating our 10-year wedding anniversary -- with a cruise to the Bahamas -- should be especially fun.  And we're really looking forward to connecting with so many various friends and family scattered throughout the North American continent.  We're especially eager to introduce Cor (now 8 months old) to everyone!  Believe it or not, I'm actually really looking forward to the prospect of fund-raising this summer, too.  To be sure, it can be intimidating to realize the huge amount of financial support that needs to be raised in just a few short months -- but we have an equally big story to tell of everything that God has been doing and is doing in Amsterdam... And I'm excited to finally move beyond the stage of thinking about it and talking about it and preparing for it -- and just start doing it.  When all of this is coupled with the opportunity to eat at so many of our favorite restaurants again and enjoy so many of our favorite summer activities again, it adds up to a much-anticipated summer that should fuel memories, images, and stories for many years to come...

I have to be honest, though, that there are a few things which will probably be more difficult for me.  I'm not looking forward to having to regularly (and frequently) spend lots of money on gasoline again (being so accustomed to pedal power in Amsterdam these days).  I'm not looking forward to "reverse culture shock" -- feeling out of touch with my own native culture (I already realized this the other day when I asked a good friend in Ohio if people in America typically send a "text message" or an "SMS" via mobile telephone -- seeing how the technology was almost unheard of five years ago when I moved to Europe, but is now quite widespread -- and hearing my friend basically reply by asking "an SM-What?").  But more than anything, I think it's going to be hard to be "living out of a suitcase" for three whole months -- especially with a family of five -- sleeping on dozens of different beds, trying to maintain order and routine when order and routine will be practically impossible.  This is probably difficult for anyone -- but I am particularly a person of routine.  I tend to feel most rested and most productive when I am operating according to some self-imposed schedule for life... And yet, I realize that the coming few months -- though rest and productivity are the two stated goals -- will provide scant opportunity for regular routine.  I'm trusting God to help me read and adjust, as I go.   But it can still be a little bit scary to think about all of this.

Suffice to say, we have a long and winding road ahead of us.  It's going to be quite an adventure!