Humbled...

Scott returned safely from Africa Saturday a week ago. I stayed up 'til 1:30 that morning tracking his flight because I was afraid he would miss his New York connection. His flight left Abuja, Nigeria, an hour and a half later than scheduled. He (well, the plane actually) touched down in Dakar to refuel and pick up passengers. The Delta agent told me there was virtually no way Scott would make his connection unless they caught a tail-wind...and that they did. He arrived into JFK only 10 minutes later than originally scheduled. He was due to arrive into Charlotte at 11:03 Saturday morning (11/14). I was up early getting my dinner in the oven to cook all day when I decided to check the internet to get an update...to see that the flight was going to get in at 10:15....and it was 9:15 when I checked. I went crazy getting the kids up because we wanted to get to the airport well on time. We did...20 minutes early! We had our homemade signs in tow and we were ready to greet him! As we watched everyone come down the escalator from the flight, there was one thing missing...Scott! He came down another escalator because he didn't see the other one. We had scores of people saying "oh, we're so glad you missed us" as they saw our signs. We finally met up in baggage claim :)
That evening we sat down to look at the pictures that he had taken on his trip. I was so humbled as I saw what these people had...virtually nothing. They had nothing, yet each one of the faces in these pictures had glowing smiles. They had the Lord and nothing else...and that was enough for them. I was so convicted that evening as I straightened up and looked around our house and saw all that we have. And yet I complain about things that do not matter. As I fell asleep that night I asked the Lord to forgive me for my complaining tongue...and also thanked Him for a comfortable bed in a warm house with a husband that He returned safely!
The host pastor in Liberia with his family.
The host pastor's house
People who attended the conference
Our kids dressing in the outfits that were given to Scott