with gratitude!

70 days, 10 weeks, 6 countries, 11 cities or towns, and 21 boarding passes later...I am on my way home to So Cal! What a full and memorable trip around the world this has been! I am so thankful for all the prayers, emails, and words of encouragement along the way.

I began this trip by reading "Sleeping with Bread: Holding What Gives You Life." The book tells about European refugee children during WWII who were too scared to go to sleep. They were given pieces of bread to give them peace of mind that they did not need to fear hunger when they woke up. The authors relate the story to the Ignition prayer of Examen. We remember the things that we are grateful for and give us life. We also remember the things that are difficult and drain us. Throughout this trip I asked myself these questions of consolation and desolation. I have much to be thankful and grateful for! God has blessed me with wonderful memories and huge lessons along the way! It is ideal to share these things with your community of family or friends. So, I'll just give a sampling of some of the memories I am grateful for with my "blogger community." Warning...it's a long, grateful list!

Argentina...
- Sharing life with the Forcattos and seeing them so at home in Buenos Aires
- Drinking mate with the Forcattos
- Argentine asado with the Forcattos and thier neighbors
- Seeing Walter love and care for the kids on the streets
- Cora morphing my name Didi into Deeders
- Date night with Cora with panchos (hot dogs) and a candle at home, while her parents had a date night out
- Meeting the Forcatto's family and friends; worshipping at their church

Rome...
- Experiencing all the history and culture this city has to offer
- Walking up the steps to the top of the dome of Saint Peter's
- Hanging out in the piazzas and people watching
- Visiting the Sistine Chapel
- Good coffee

Prague...
- Enjoying views and walks on the Charles Bridge
- The cool and diverse architecture of Prague
- Old Town Square
- Slowing it down a bit for a few days

South Africa...
- Holding Bradley Biedebach for the first time and him falling asleep in my arms
- Singing "I'm So Happy" with Ami in the car
- The hospitality of the Brian and Anita; feeling so at home
- Game reserve days with the Bied family
- Feeding a baby lion cub a bottle
- South Africa brai (bbq) with the young adults at the church
- Experiencing the Apartheid Muesum
- Seeing the Academy Award Best Foreign Film, "Tsosti" in Johannesburg, where it was filmed
- Visiting a rural ministry called MCDC that is serving in the frontlines of the AIDS crisis
- Hearing the African MCDC women sing praises to God as we toured the area
- Touring the townships of Cape Town and sharing a meal at a township home
- Meeting wonderful people responding to the poverty and AIDS crisis with the love and hope of Jesus
- African men and women singing songs of freedom on the boat ride to Robben Island (where Neslon Mandela was imprisoned)
- Views from the top of Table Mountain
- Cape Town beaches and sunsets

India...
- Staying at Jon Derby's pad and seeing his life in Mumbai - neighborhood, friends, work
- Hanging out in beach huts in Goa
- Goa beaches and sunsets
- Hearing the hopeful excitement of the WMF women (Sarah, Kristin, and Beth) about all God was doing through the ministry in the Kolkata red light district, Sonagahci
- Visiting Sari Bari and meeting three women who are free from life of prostitution through this ministry of small business
- Seeing Sarah Lance interact with the Sari Bari women and hearing them sing praises to Jesus!
- Volunteering again at Kalighat, the Missionaries of Charity House for the Dying in Kolkata after nine years
- Celebrating Jon's birthday in Mumbai with his friends in India
- Getting pushed and shoved and crammed in a Mumbai train ride (okay, maybe this did not give me life, but it was memorable!)
- Haircut, old skool shave, head and face massage in Mumbai
- Coffee with Jon at his favorite coffee joints - Coffee Day and Barrista

Thailand...
- Boat ride on the river in Bangkok
- Foot and leg massage in Bangkok
- VIP movie experience in Bangkok, including a shoulder and back massage and recliner seats
- Thai food
- Visiting the slum Klong Toey where my friends Tim & Amy Hupe hope to return to live and serve...meeting some of their friends there
- Empty beaches near Phuket
- Swimming in a warm pool during downpour rain
- Thai beaches
- Final night sunset in Railay, Thailand - the most beautiful sunset of the entire trip...thank you, Lord!
(Of course, I didn't have my camera with me)

Last, but not least...
- Emails, prayers, and words of encouragement from family and friends

I'm sure I have neglected to mention a ton more! But, this is probably enough to show my gratitude to God for an amazing around the world trip! You get the idea. Thank you for being a part of my life and this season of my life!!