A Sight for Sore Eyes

Two days ago right around lunch time we heard a knock on the door.  One of the kids ran to open the door knowing that I was just a few steps behind them.  A FedEx delivery man was standing there holding a large box that looked really heavy.  The kids started saying, “It’s Meme’s box!”  My mother told us last week that she mailed a care package to us and had put some surprises in it.  Everyone was standing around the box waiting for me to tear it open.

I want to interject something here that I have learned over the last year and a half of living overseas as a missionary.  Do not underestimate the power of sending care packages to missionaries.  Most missionaries live on a very limited budget and don’t splurge on unnecessary items very often.  Comforts from home mean more than you can imagine.  We have to limit our Mexican food meals because the ingredients here are so expensive.  One single can of black beans, IF you can find them, is 5 Euros ($6.50 USD).  Corn tortillas only come in packages of eight and cost 3 Euros ($4 USD). And forget about Pace picante sauce. You can’t find that anywhere. We have been making our own salsa, even though you have to search really hard in the grocery store to find a few pre-packaged jalapenos. Care packages mean more than just what’s inside. A lot of time, energy, and money is spent in sending one. That is what brings tears to my eyes when I see everyone enjoying the contents of a newly-arrived box. It’s the thought and love behind it.  Ok…now back to my story….

I peeled back the flaps of the box and immediately heard squeals of delight. At the top of the box were Hostess Twinkies and cupcakes, taco shells, corn tortillas, Twizzlers, several boxes of fruit snacks, and a baggie full of flavored lipsticks for the girls.

It would take too long to list everything in the box, but everyone in the family benefited….even the new Vandy baby who is still in mommy’s tummy.  As I watched the kids laughing and jumping up and down while going through the items in the box, my eyes brimmed with tears of gratefulness. They are missing their homes, their friends, their church, and also their favorite restaurants.  The small familiar items in this box made them smile and feel more at home.  This was fun!

This box truly blessed us, and I want to thank my mom (their Meme) for sending it.  She just had a birthday yesterday, so I want to tell her happy birthday!  We love her!

Several people have sent items with other people coming to visit, and then a few others have shipped boxes over. Donald and Kimber Rowan have sent quite a few boxes of goodies. It’s always fun to open her boxes! There is so much thought behind the contents of the box.  That’s what I love.  Jason and Vanessa Everman sent a box a few weeks ago, and we were so grateful for everything she sent. Tara Farmer, Sarah Hedlund, Ray & Teddi Baker & family, Nikki Kirkwood, Tiffani Frederick have also sent items over.  The clothes for the kids are such a blessing!

When a box arrives at the door, it’s a sight for sore eyes.  Or at least a sight for eyes that are a bit homesick!