That even a place where you only stay for 8 weeks can become a “home.”
That scorpions glow under black light. Crazy, freaky, and cool at the same time.
That there are a lot of Baptist churches in the South.
That Indian Fry Bread is just delicious.
That being a Language Helper is harder than it seems.
That Judah really, really, really enjoys drawing, and that Elias is a puzzle fanatic.
That meal times with 14 kids and 14 adults can be loud and crazy.
That Judah comes up with the funniest names. He named his pet lizard “Kerry John” and his pet caterpillar “Pilli Bob.” And I’m sorry to say I don’t remember all the names for the 6 crickets he caught.
That black coffee truly is a tasty thing.
That just having a fifth of the normal amount of toys to play with does not mean they will be bored after 3 days. It means they play with the same toys MORE and more creatively.
That Elias is, indeed, the messiest eater known to mankind.
That our boys adooooooooore babies.
That different moms have different strengths (and that we can encourage each other in those strengths rather than envy one another).
That 6AM prayer meetings with the other ladies are always an encouragement, even if it is hard to get out of bed.
That tarantulas are, indeed, huge and hairy and not as poisonous as I thought.
That doing linguistics in a real setting rather than a classroom is a whole different world.
That doing dishes for that many people leaves you sprinkled with various bits of food and drenched in soapy water.
That Judah needs “alone time,” as he tells me, after being with a lot of people for a long time. A boy after my own heart.
That blank paper and some crayons can be entertaining for hours.
That our boys are quite fearless when it comes to insects, spiders, worms, lizards, crawdads, and other adventurous critters. And that most of them die when you make them pets. Sorry.
That using a Q-Tip to remove ticks really does work.
That being down here with a wonderful bunch of other missionaries-in-training has truly made this experience a time we will remember very fondly.
That working out with a work-out buddy is so much more enjoyable and actually happens (Thanks, Anna, for going on the postnatal slimdown journey with me J!)
That dark chocolate really is the superior kind.
That copperhead snakes are venomous and that jumping back and screaming like a girl is the best defense when faced with one (just ask John).
That movie nights in the back of our van parked outside another building are not the most comfortable, but that chocolate makes up for that (you gotta do what you gotta do when your only option of watching a movie is streaming one and you happen to not have wi-fi in your building).
That going to Walmart can actually be a “fun family date.”
That I truly do have a gem of a husband. He has been more supportive during this linguistics journey than I could have wished for, has been a wonderful and engaged father to our boys, a joyful and intentional “babysitter” to almost all kids on campus (often watching as many as 8 kids for the morning), and has kept me supplied with chocolate and coffee.
That I just miss being home with the boys.
And with that: Goodbye, Oklahoma (in 3 days), and back to Missouri!
Love from the Anyans