Just over a year ago, Bryan and I packed up our house and said goodbye to our friends in Nashville, as we stepped out in faith that the Lord would provide for our every need. What a crazy, fun, sanctifying process it has been, and continues to be! We are so blessed to have a great team of people supporting us and working with us. Now we have been in Ethiopia for 10 months, and it feels like home! The other day we were discussing all of the similarities and differences between our life in the states and our new life here. I got a kick out of many of them, so I figured I would share.
Then: I use to buy 2 or 3 tomatoes at a time Now: Now I buy at least 3 KILOS (6.6 lbs) of tomatoes at a time!
Then: When we didn’t feel like cooking, we went out for dinner. Now: we either skip dinner or invite ourselves over to someone’s house.
Then: Once a week Bryan and I would haul all of our dirty laundry to the laundry mat so that we could have clean clothes. Now: I just walk into the bathroom and throw our dirty clothes in the washing machine! Talk about an upgrade :)
Then: Electricity was reliable/always on. Now: It comes and goes as it pleases.
Then: Bryan was working long hours and we didn’t see each other very much. Now: Although we still work long hours, he is always close enough to steal a kiss :)
Then: When our house was infested with bugs, we asked our landlord to fumigate. Now: When we see a bug (regardless of its size) scurry across the floor, don’t even bother to kill him and wish him safe travels.
Then: I didn’t have a dishwasher. Now: I still don’t have a dishwasher.
Then: I rarely bought organic food. Now: Nearly everything we eat is organic and we “splurge” on processed food.
Then: I used to send 2,000+ text messages a month. Now: Phone service is so hit or miss that I don't even bother carrying my phone with me.
Then: A quiet evening at home use to consist of a tv show or movie. Now: We are quite content to spend the evening reading a good book! My how things have changed :)
Then: I use to buy 2 or 3 tomatoes at a time Now: Now I buy at least 3 KILOS (6.6 lbs) of tomatoes at a time!
Then: When we didn’t feel like cooking, we went out for dinner. Now: we either skip dinner or invite ourselves over to someone’s house.
Then: Once a week Bryan and I would haul all of our dirty laundry to the laundry mat so that we could have clean clothes. Now: I just walk into the bathroom and throw our dirty clothes in the washing machine! Talk about an upgrade :)
Then: Electricity was reliable/always on. Now: It comes and goes as it pleases.
Then: Bryan was working long hours and we didn’t see each other very much. Now: Although we still work long hours, he is always close enough to steal a kiss :)
Then: When our house was infested with bugs, we asked our landlord to fumigate. Now: When we see a bug (regardless of its size) scurry across the floor, don’t even bother to kill him and wish him safe travels.
Then: I didn’t have a dishwasher. Now: I still don’t have a dishwasher.
Then: I rarely bought organic food. Now: Nearly everything we eat is organic and we “splurge” on processed food.
Then: I used to send 2,000+ text messages a month. Now: Phone service is so hit or miss that I don't even bother carrying my phone with me.
Then: A quiet evening at home use to consist of a tv show or movie. Now: We are quite content to spend the evening reading a good book! My how things have changed :)
