We have now been back in the United States for a little over seven weeks and it's hard to believe that time can move so quickly.  Moving back after a year away has brought both joys and challenges.  On the one hand, we have been able to reconnect with many family and friends.  On the other, we leave behind many new friends from our year of ministry in Europe.  It seems we often feel a mixture of emotions from day to day.  If there was one word to describe where we are right now, it would be "transition."  

Two weeks before we returned home from Europe, Jason's parents flew into Zurich Airport to meet us for a vacation before taking the long journey back to the USA.  We had an incredible time visiting the Swiss Alps, Italy, Turkey, and Greece.  In the near future, we will be posting more pictures from that trip here.  The trip was relaxing but it was also an opportunity for Jason's parents to share a bit from our life in Europe.  Of course, the grandparents weren't complaining since they got to see their grandson after seven months without him!

After our arrival to the USA on July 20, we spent a few days recuperating from the exhausting journey and promptly traveled some more!  We made our way to Branson, Missouri where we were able to meet Regan's brother and family to spend time together.  Activities included swimming, visits to Silver Dollar City, and eating BBQ.  Carter was able to spend some quality time catching up with some of his aunt, uncle, cousins and of course, his Spindle grandparents.  Following our time in Branson, we stopped through Springfield, Missouri to visit Jason's brother Josh and his wife Rashele along with some extended family.  It was so good to see them all again!

In August, we made a trip to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma where it was a blistering 105 degrees.  But, we were able to see some more of Regan's extended family and celebrate together the 94th birthday of Regan's grandmother Lillian.  What a wonderful occasion!

We also took a quick trip to Jason's home town in Missouri where we again spent time with Jason's parents.  This time, we got to hang out at their new house which has a great place to go fishing.  It was Carter's first time and with the help of his great-grandfather, he caught a fish!  Jason was invited to preach at the Nazarene church there during the weekend and the trip proved to be a relaxing few days.

Whew!  So much has happened since we returned but the biggest news is Regan's new position as Resident Educator at MidAmerica Nazarene University.  She will oversee three dorms on campus which means our family will be experiencing dorm life together again!  While this was certainly not in our plans or even on our radar, it has proven to be a wonderful blessing for our family and we are excited for the opportunity to work with college students again.  We have spent the last week packing, moving, unpacking, cleaning, etc. and hope to get out of "transition" for at least a while and find some kind of normal again.  Jason has continued the search for a place of pastoral ministry and though the process has been slow and even disappointing at times, we are confident that God is at work in our lives and we are fully committed to attempting to serve those around us, wherever we are...we pray that God will continue to grant you his grace and peace!

The Veach Family