Question: what is the sum of the following?

46 relatives
36 friends (not counting kids)
24 planes
16 beds
8 states
3 bags
2 months
1 Lillis

Answer?
Joy.

I know this blog has been silent for a long time. Life however has been far from quiet. For the last two months, I have wandered the US enjoying all that is right and good on God’s great Earth: oceans and mountains, forests and clouds, babies and weddings; good food, great people, and heart-changing conversations.

Some might describe a summer like this as a “whirlwind.” Somehow though, it hasn’t been that. While I may have only spent two to four days in any one place, each day was full unto itself: neither hurried nor tedious, brimming with small adventures and quality time spent together.

A few little lessons I learned along the way:

1. Cheap transportation is out there – you just have to look for it. For example, Amtrack is actually pretty cool! More people should use it. MegaBus too is a well kept secret – really, how can you beat a $15 ticket from Minneapolis to Chicago? On a decent bus no less.
2. If you’re flying in and out of big cities, be sure to check the airport along with all the other details. Showing up at the wrong airport an hour before your flight is not usually a great way to start your travel day.
3. If you go hiking on a rocky mountain trail, be sure to put your house key somewhere safe – i.e, NOT the camera bag. If it falls out while you are hiking, you might end up walking 8mi further than you anticipated.
4. Texas is HOT in July.
5. Jellyfish stings BURN.
6. You can always pack lighter. Always. I’m a fairly light packer and there were still 3-5 outfits that stayed at the bottom of my bag this summer. I can’t quite believe that I paid money to haul it all around for two months.

Tomorrow I fly back to Kenya, my heart fully refreshed, filled with joy and hope. As I go, I can sing with the one who penned Psalm 4:

⁷ You have filled my heart with greater joy
than when their grain and new wine abound.

⁸ I will lie down and sleep in peace,
for you alone, O LORD,
make me dwell in safety.