Hey family and friends!

Just wanted to give you an update as to what we have been up to over the past month of returning to the States, coming home to South Carolina, taking some “us” time, preparing for Miriam’s birthday and seeing family and friends. Our traveling schedule has been quite different this time coming home (as we can’t be as mobile as we would like to be), but we see confirmations everyday that it was the best decision for our family to come back to South Carolina.

For starters, the three plane rides home were an adventure all in itself. Our flight that left from Cusco was delayed for a few hours, so they waived our extra luggage fees. We were blessed to get an amazing deal with Delta airlines with first-class tickets from Lima to Atlanta and while we can’t say that we got the full “first-class experience” (who wants dinner at 1:45am?), sleeping for 5-6 hours straight was a blessing in itself. We didn’t care that the flight from Atlanta to Charlotte was delayed and freezing cold, we were just happy to get home with all of our luggage. We were surprised at the airport by David’s dad and some sweet friends who had a gift bag for Miriam. Our first meal on American soil was Bojangles.

An update on all things Miriam: we got to the house and David’s parents and aunts had our room set up with nursery things. It really put our mind at ease to see all the furniture and the thought they put into “our family space.” We were also blessed by our family at Faith Baptist Church (in Swansea, SC) who gave us a baby shower one weekend. Miriam got so many beautiful clothes, afghans and diapers! The state of SC is paying for Miriam’s prenatal care and giving us a free birth with a great hospital (less than 5 minutes away from the house). Our team of OBs (the ones we have met so far) are all very nice and helpful and they have all said that Miriam is doing great–totally normal and healthy. Her due date was actually a bit off than what we previously had thought, so her new date is supposed to be April 22nd. (If she doesn’t come on that date, please refrain from asking me when she’s coming…I don’t know any more than you do 🙂 God said it will be “a surprise.”) Also, thanks to living at high altitude in Cusco for awhile, the docs say my hemoglobin levels are “off the charts, amazing.” Little elevation here makes me a bit of a super-human.

Jen at 36 weeks

David and I have felt very encouraged to see family, to spend time with them and to catch up with friends this month. We can’t express how loved we felt (and still feel) from people and their generosity. We are thankful for your phone/Skype conversations, treating us to dinner or coffee, asking us what we need for Miriam, opening your homes to let us spend quality time with you, to let us talk for hours on end in English, ect. We really appreciate everything!

seeing old friends and old waterfalls

As far as what God has been teaching us over the past month: we need to continue to trust him. He has proven over and over again how much he loves our family and how he wants to take care of us (see examples above). He provides even though the cost of living here is more expensive than what it was in Peru. He provides the desires of our hearts. So we can trust him for our future plans. We both feel like we are on the edge of discovering something BIG with our next steps, but we are still discerning exactly what that is and what that looks like. (Becoming parents is definitely a new, very BIG, adventure in itself and we feel that God will reveal more to our family after Miriam gets here). Until he gives us a clear picture of where our family is headed next, I (Jen) am going to be a stay-at-home mommy.

How can you be praying for us over the next few weeks, you ask?

1. For a smooth and easy delivery for Jen and Miriam (and David–as he is the pillar of emotional support). Team Carter is ready to go at 38 weeks…now we wait and see.

2. A job for David: he had an interview for a job in Charlotte last week and will hear in back in the coming week.