Things to look forward to on "Furlough" or "Stateside Assignment"

One of my dear friends from Costa Rica solicited the missionaries that she knows and asked them to write a list about their "favorite" things that they experience while they are on "furlough" in the United States. A furlough, or stateside assignment, is when the missionary family gets to return to the U.S. for a brief time to relax (6 months to a year), to raise support and get loved on by friends and family. This is quite a lengthy list, but I thought you might really enjoy this. It gives you a taste of how things are overseas and some of the things we can't wait to partake in when we get home. My "particular" list is on the very bottom in red.
Our Stateside is now less than 4 months away and we will be in the U.S. for 6 months exactly. Here are some things we can look forward to:

The relief of speaking English for a while

A bit more 'orderliness' to life for a while - e.g., church that starts on time, relatively predictable driving patterns

The generosity of friends who allow us to 'flop' for a while, with no demands!

New friends for the children - and lots of stuffed animals!

Fishing

Clean water - and plenty of it

An opportunity to re-connect with God in a relaxed way - like Him putting His loving parental arms around us and cuddling us!

Grandchildren, family and church family are our major blessings except there's one more that's fun for us and that's food! We love hitting our favorite restaurants and enjoying the variety and the beef.

Watching our children reconnect with their friends.

Watching them experience American culture as if for the first time.

Taking BATHS! :)

Trying the newest flavor of ice cream.

Hearing and learning the hottest worship hits of the year to incorporate in ministry down here.

Meeting with our "young adult" group (all of us in our 40's - 50's)

Seeing God provide over and over a furlough car or van that is perfect for our family.

Eating a big juicy mid-west steak, corn on the cob fresh off the stalk, green grapes and blueberries.

Running or exercising outdoors without being a novelty!

Seeing how people are sharing Jesus in their workplace.

Reading new books ordered from Amazon.com in anticipation of time to read them!!

Enjoying sights, smells, tastes and sounds that you have missed.

Getting to trust God for things that are very different from what you’ve learned to trust Him for on the field.

Stimulating discussions with other mature Christians interested in missions... and feeling a genuine interest and love in us. What a privilege!

"Weaning" people that you minister to on the field away from you so they stand more independently in their spiritual walk (or emotional if you involvement with them is in counseling) so they depend on GOD rather than YOU. Physical separation is sometimes the only way to do this.

Learning what your supporters' lives are like now--what are the issues they face, the economy they live in, their families.

Getting to be an "ear" for people who want to talk, and are less afraid to talk to you than to those around them. You're "safe" because you don't live there and will be leaving.

Eating peanut butter ice cream

Not locking the door and feeling safe.

Leaving things on the front porch without worrying that they will get stolen.

Singing in church in English.

Listening to National Public Radio.

Knowing/feeling that the people in the field are waiting to see you getting back when the furlough is over.

Getting to see our kids for more than just a weekend.

Experiencing holidays like Thanksgiving!

Seeing pumpkins and Fall colors!

Experiencing all 4 seasons!

Seeing family and friends in their own environment and enjoying the pleasure of visiting with them and sharing in their lives.

Singing praise songs in my heart language...ENGLISH!

Eating chick-fil-A chicken!

Driving on highways that are as smooth as glass!

Watching college and high school football, basketball and baseball games!

One of the greatest joys of furlough - potatoes!

I love rice, but sometimeshaving potatoes is a nice change from daily rice.

Getting to drive on wide roads with good signage!
It's inspiring to see how others have changed and grown in faith.

Same as you, being around family, immediate and extended...giving and getting hugs.

The smell of the salt air and marsh.

Being around old people who were old friends of my parents(memory lane and lots of wisdom).

Seeing the massive old oaks...the kind that grow there and the other vegetation that we don't have here.

Being w/ friends that have known you since kindergarten...and their families

Worshipping again w/ my whole family.

Eating familiar foods that you haven't had for years.

Being able to drink the water from the tap.

Not having to worry if the power will go off tonight

Being able to get my Thanksgiving turkey ready to bake from the store rather than going out and having to find a live one and butcher it myself.

Having mail delivered to my door.

Not waiting in long lines for hours to get things done!!!!

Seeing other people catch the vision for sharing Jesus with the people in their lives or around the world.

Being a part of the bridge that connects the local church to what is going on in God's Body around the world.

Eating my favorite food or going to my favorite place again.

Driving in a country that generally obeys driving rules (Also a downside, haha!)

Connecting my local friends and church (in Costa Rica) with my friends, family and church in the States. It's mutually encouraging!!

Good steaks.

Teaching of the Word at "home church."

Nieces and nephews. Cousins.

Blueberries.

Parks.

Driving on Interstates.

35 varieties of microwave popcorn.

One of the big thrills for me at least was getting to see blockbuster movies on the release weekend.

Another big one is food – getting to have the foods we grew up with and love. That’s just as true for either of us in both countries.

Celebrating birthdays with family (theirs and yours).

Worshipping in your native language and actually understanding the sermon.

Going to Target and Wal-Mart and walking down every single aisle, looking at EVERY product JUST BECAUSE YOU CAN!!

Going to Yard Sales.

Eating at Olive Garden!

Hearing English ALL around you no matter where you are!

Finding a great recipe and actually being able to make it because you can easily find and buy all of the ingredients.

Shopping and finding good quality clothes that are affordable and that fit you.

Being able to see your friends and family constantly!

When you need a hug from a close friend, they are right there to give it to you.