There's so much to be THANKFUL for.

I'm officially back from Africa. I am "home sweet home" on American soil, after traveling on 3 continents in 30 hours (from Accra to London to Chicago to Charlotte). And wow, all of this is still so hard to believe.

Someone asked me tonight, "Is coming home all you thought it would be?" I simply replied, "Honestly, it's even better than I could have ever imagined."

Kenz and I arrived in CLT around 7:30pm tonight and were greeted by our friends and family, where we hugged, laughed, and smiled in a sort of dream-like awe of the reality of coming home after almost 5 months. Ashley documented every second, as my parents teared up and welcomed me home, with balloons in hand.

After a dreaded "goodbye" to Kenz, my mom and dad and I met Maddie and Ashley (two of my best friends) at Panera for my first American meal. I enjoyed a warm cup of broccoli cheese soup and the Mediterranean Veggie sandwich...boy was it good!

I am so THANKFUL. To be perfectly honest, I didn't realize that I missed this place so much. My friends and family are so wonderful, so encouraging, so loving. I am so thankful for them and it is really nice to be home.

Mom and Dad both greeted me with "Welcome Home" balloons, Trixie did too (hers was tied to her collar when we got home and said "I Love You"). There were fresh red roses awaiting me in a vase in my bathroom, two Hershey kisses sitting perfectly on my bed, and a strand of Carolina blue Tarheel Christmas lights strung above my bedroom door for Christmas cheer.

Maddie and Ashley put together the most perfect gift box for me, complete with my favorite Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory treats (chocolate/caramel-covered apples, dark chocolate english toffee, dipped apricots), comfy Ralph Lauren pj pants, a coffee table/inspiration book entitled "Because of You: Celebrating the Difference You Make", and handwritten cards. They are such amazing friends.

Tonight I took a long, hot bath, as I listened to Josh Groban's "Noel" Christmas CD (from last year) on my Mac. The song "Thankful" really touched me tonight. He could not have put my thoughts into words more perfectly...

THANKFUL/Josh Groban
Somedays, we forget to look around us,
Somedays, we can't see the joy that surrounds us,
so caught up inside ourselves,
we take when we should give,
so for tonight we pray for,
what we know can be,
and on this day we hope for,
what we still can't see,
It's up to us, to be the change,
and even though we all can still do more,
there's so much to be thankful for,
look beyond ourselves,
there's so much sorrow,
it's way to late to say, I'll cry tomorrow
each of us must find our truth,
it's so long overdue,

so for tonight we pray for,
what we know can be,
and everyday, we hope for,
what we still can't see,
it's up to us, to be the change,
and even though we all can still do more,
there's so much to be thankful for,
even with our differences,
there is a place were all connected,
each of us can find each others light,
So for tonight, we pray for
what we know can be,
and on this day, we hope for,
what we still can't see,
it's up to us, to be the change,
and even though this world can still do so much more
there's so much to be thankful for.

I thank every single person who has helped me along my journey to Africa. Thank you for your words of encouragement, your emails, your care packages, your prayers. Thank you for lifting me up and for reminding me that it's okay to let go, spread joy, and embrace a new and unfamiliar culture. Opening my heart has opened my eyes and for that, and for you, I am THANKFUL.

~C

More updated posts/pics to come...