Same, Same, but Different

This is a commonly heard tourist phrase in Thailand and throughout Southeast Asia. This certainly describes our new life in the United States. There are some things in our life and ministry that are the same as in Asia, and then there are some things that are VERY different. Same, same . . . equipping, empowering and training missionaries happily married! our kids are involved in athletics and arts full-time missionaries with Go To Nations, our missionary family traveling to lead and support our international teams preaching at churches, this time without translators crossfit but different . . .  driving on the "wrong" side of the road bananas in the US are really not that yummy no motorbike not working in a school, we miss CRICS ice from our fridge instead of the corner store no more yearly visa renewal can drink the water from the tap closets Every gift God freely gives us is good and perfect, streaming down from the Father of lights, who shines from the heavens with no hidden shadow or darkness and is never subject to change. James 1:17 Same, same . . . We are still ministering to our world-wide missionary team, most often through online meetings, as above. Same, same . . . We are still enjoying working out; and at our new gym, we are trainers! but (wonderfully) different . . . We are now closer to all our kids. Eric and his new bride Sarah spent Thanksgiving with us! but different . . . We found Thai food in Florida but it is not the same as what we enjoyed in Chiang Rai.