We weren’t sure how we’d feel once we got back home, if the jet-lag would hit us hard. It’s sort of a Sublett fam value to be flexible and see how things go. But we decided to load ’em up and head for midtown today for the 11:00 gathering. It was so good to be back in church, and to see so many smiling faces. We missed you! I wasn’t sure if Annabelle would be up for all the new faces. She seems to understand that she’s meeting friends of the family. And Miss Lynn’s rice krispy bars were a hit with her, so she’s got that going for her!
Annabelle did really well. She sat with us for worship, holding hands with Sadie and Lilly. Then she and Sadie slipped out to go to Kidz Connexion. Dan brought me up on stage to say a few words about our experience, and the whole family came up with me. Lilly ran to get Sadie and Annabelle, and Annabelle had her first “on stage moment.” As the gathering ended, lots of Chinese students from PSU came up to say hello, offered to help us with language, and pointed us in the direction of authentic Chinese food. What a blessing it is to live in this town, and to find so many people willing to help. I can’t believe that we’ve been missing the Big Bowl Noodle House! It was great. We brought home the leftovers and ate them for supper tonight…
We spent the rest of the day napping (ok, maybe we’re a little bit jet-laggy) and helping Annabelle sort through her clothes and put them away. I don’t know if she’s ever had a wardrobe of her own, and maybe the idea that all these clothes are hers is a little overwhelming. But she’s taking things in stride! At some point in the evening the kids started playing hide and seek. Annabelle is a good hider! It was so cool to hear them all laughing and giggling together. Levi LOVES her! She’s starting to open up, be more expressive, tease and play, just like her brother and sisters. She’s asking us to carry her on our backs, initiating little “copy me” games with the girls, and fitting right in.
The coolest moment of the day: Sadie wanted noodles, not rice with her lunch. When she thought she wasn’t getting noodles, she started to cry. (Not really sure why, but we Subletts are emotional creatures) Kim and I tried to get her settled down so that we could finish our order without causing too much of a scene. As Sadie sniffled, Annabelle put her arm around her sister and pulled her to her side, comforting her. My throat gets tight and my eyes get misty just thinking back on that. What a moment.
Oh so good…we’re so blessed, and so grateful.
Not a lot of photos from today, but here are the girls getting ready to dive into Annabelle’s “Welcome Home” cake, followed by a little silliness.
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