Not Home Yet

As I crossed the border from South Africa into Mozambique, sweat poured down my face and trickled down my back (and let's be honest, into my crack as well- such a gross feeling), soaking my shirt and leaving me with large pit stains. Not due to nerves or hyper-active sweat glands, I was dripping because the Mozambican sun seems 20 degrees hotter than in South Africa. Pushed, shoved and jostled about in the customs line, I was tossed about in the sea of sweaty Africans and I inhaled the intense body odor like a sweet perfume." Ahhhhh....feels wonderful to be back!" I thought. (no sarcasm here) It still baffles me how I can feel so at home in and love two such radically different worlds. While I was at home in Brea I also thought, "Ahhhh....feels wonderful to be back!" (yes, apparently I think "ahhhhh" more often than most) Here are some highlights from my trip home.

I arrived home on Christmas Eve after thee longest trip ever and was exhausted. (partly due to travel and partly due to the fact that instead of sleeping on the plane rides, I chose to watch movies and TV shows the entire time) Every Christmas Eve we open a new pair of pajamas and this year all the boys were decked out in their UPS uniforms. (see picture and please take note of my dad's super long toes. Unfortunately, these were hereditary) Our cousin Bennett arrived from Oregon just in time for the festivities and we all had a blast with him. Trent opened the game "Dance Dance Revolution" (also known as "dance dance O'Rama according to my mom) and while the boys played downstairs, I "rested my eyes" upstairs and was out cold. (man I miss that bed and that cat- is it a little creepy that my mom takes pictures of me sleeping?)I wonder if in heaven every morning will feel like Christmas morning. (or if we sleep at all for that matter) I still feel like a little kid, filled with excitement and anticipation when I awake because I love Christmas day so much. The Hardeman "kids" are ages 27, 25, and 23 yet we still all get excited about opening stockings:) I spent the entire day with my family and in my pajamas- does life get any better? I was a bit bummed that I had no gifts to give since my bags had still not yet arrived (I hate you Delta) but loved just being home and going through our family traditions. I love how Vander looks just as excited about his fire truck as he does about the little bear ornaments


Van was obviously the center of attention this Christmas and his joy and enthusiasm were contagious.


For the observant and bored, here's a game: can you find the subtle differences in each of the following 3 consecutive pictures?
One part of Christmas day that I always love is relaxing as a family after all the presents are opened. Can't remember what we were watching on the tube but I'm guessing a football game- even Jackson wanted to watch. (Heidi's dog)










The only sad part about this picture is that we're missing a very important member of our family: Emma!!! (Trav's fiance) Trent had been taking a nap and clearly was not excited about being woken up to take a picture- his expression is classic.My mom and I drove to LAX a few days after Christmas to search for my missing luggage because Delta had no idea where the bags were. We walked right in to the baggage claim and found them sitting in a corner! It was so fun to finally be the "gift giver" rather than just receiver. Did you notice Vander's injury from my nightmare babysitting experience? Luckily the fat lip went away a few days later, as did the mondo size gash above his lip.
One of my presents from Heidi was a ticket to see the musical Wicked so we had a "girls night out" and me, my mom and Heidi drove to LA and were awed by this amazing performance. (for those of you who don't know what "Wicked" is about, before you start judging us let me explain- it is the story of the witches from The Wizard of Oz before the whole "Dorothy and Todo" events.)Even Heidi loved it although she had never seen "The Wizard of Oz"- I know, who hasn't seen that movie? After we took the following picture, security yelled, "NO PICTURES!!!" whoops. At least they didn't make me erase the picture like they did at the Statue of Liberty. I took a picture of the "air puffer" which you had to walk through to check for bomb-making chemicals and blew your hair back. My iron well friends and I found it hilarious but when I took the picture, a very rude security woman came and took my camera and made me delete the picture so I couldn't give it to terrorists. I guess it makes sense but I hate the feeling of getting in trouble. Anyways, back to Wicked. The singing, costumes, sets, and story were all fabulous but the most memorable moment came at intermission when Heidi fell down the stairs and even the people around her couldn't help but laugh. (yes I notice my awkward arm placement in the picture)A few days after Christmas, Heidi, my mom and I went to Emma's bridal shower and had a blast. Her sisters were all in town and threw her an evening shower with AMAZING desserts. Not only was there a chocolate fountain, there was also a caramel fountain!!! I was in heaven! When they brought the cake around, I was still working on my 4Th plate of dessert but gladly accepted the cake as well. (no wonder I've had 5 root canals and a gazillion cavities) The shower was especially fun since I got to see a bunch of my aunts and cousins. Due to the traveling disasters, I missed the Christmas get-together with my extended family so it was perfect that I got to see all the females a few days later. I was thrilled in talking with my cousin Kristen who is planning on coming to visit the Iris Orphanage near my house in Mozambique! Emma was radiant as ever and it was so fun getting to talk to her sisters and family. She now has 5 sisters! I am so glad Trav picked a girl who fits so perfectly in our family and is such a joy to be around.












A few days following the shower, Emma, her mom and sisters, her nieces and her sisters-to-be (Heidi and I) picked out bridesmaid dresses. This process never gets old. I've acquired quite a collection now and each dress reminds me of how much I love and appreciate each friend. One of my favorite games is picking out the most horrendous dresses possible. Here we are at the shop. Emma's nieces are absolutely adorable and were so much fun to play with. Yes, I prefer playing with kids than trying on clothes.

While home, of course I saw plenty of basketball. We watched the boys play at Azusa and the highlight may have been when Vander walked to center court at half time, sat down, and started bobbing and swaying to the music. (continue to pray that he got his dad's rthymn) Then when Heidi and I went to watch the Azusa girls, we had another memorable Vander moment but not so sweet. It's tough to explain but basically Vander (while fully supervised by Heidi and myself) ended up hanging upside down by one foot from the bleachers! Heidi and I were at an awkward angle to grab him but a man was standing right underneath him just facing the other way. To get his attention I screamed like I used to when in "help side defense" " HELP! HELP! HELP!" Apparently my panicked and loud scream got my dad's attention and he turned from the bench where he was coaching and ran towards Vander. The man had grabbed the poor guy by the time my dad reached the scene (which was in like 1.6 seconds- he's still got quite the reflexes!) but since the coach suddenly ran to the bleachers, thee ENTIRE gym looked over and saw Van hanging precariously from the bleachers. Towards the end of my stay, we returned to APU to watch the Azusa girls play again. This time I was accompanied by my friend Gregg and the ever-hilarious Butlers. Katie is one of the wittiest people I know and she married a man just as witty so I love every chance I have to hang out with them. Unfortunately, I forgot to bring my camera to the game but saw the following picture on Azusa's website. Do you see Katie, Cameron, Gregg and myself? My final basketball outing was when Stefanie and I went to a Laker game! She gave me tickets for Christmas and we had a blast although we didn't pay super close attention to the game. (note to self: stop saying "blast") I think we both were more excited about the food and the environment than the actual game. We had one very blonde moment which I suppose I should take the blame for. To get to our seats we had to take an elevator so I pushed the button (apparently not hard enough) and then we proceeded to wait for the elevator. We waited for about 5 minutes and a crowd began to form waiting for the elevator. One guy then walked past us and hit the button and the doors immediately opened! The waiting girls laughed with us while the men shook their heads in annoyance.

I'm quite the homebody so I really enjoyed just being at home and eating and talking with the fam. In the picture to the left Heidi and I both acquired sore throats and were drinking nasty, medicated tea while sitting on the kitchen floor. Can't quite remember why we chose to sit there. I would like to say that I knew my mom was taking the picture and chose to make the ugly face but no, that is a genuine, candid ugly face I am giving to Jackson. In the picture to the right you will a witness a nearly weekly tradition at the Hardeman household: Taco feast! Unlike most people, we use pork and beans instead of refried and it makes a huge difference. I missed these tacos so much! Apparently Emma's taco was telling her a joke.During my trip, I went to the movies more often than many probably go during an entire year and saw some winners and some losers. (referring to movies, not people) Some memorable moments include:
* going to see The Great Debaters with Gregg and my brothers and being the only people in the theater except for 2 other people. During the love scene Trav ripped one so loud the other people couldn't stop laughing as well.
* moving-hopping with Stefanie.
* Being thee only people in the theater with Emma, Heidi and my mom when watching Enchanted until a herd of 12 year old girls joined us.
* going to see I Am Legend with Gregg so we could spy on Trent and accidentally spying on Trent's clone instead. (this guy seriously looked exactly like Trent)
Along with seeing movies, another favorite activity of mine is having game nights. We played Dance Dance Revolution and Wii games so much that I actually got sore! Megan introduced us to my new favorite game which involves charades, memory, and taboo strategies. We played this game until the wee hours of the morning (I've always wanted to say that) and the most memorable moment was when Sarah was trying to describe Pontias Pilate and thought he must have invented pilates and pronounced his name "pont-e-ous pe-laut-ees." In her defense, his name is spelled strange.

While I was home, of course I stuffed my face with every favorite dish imaginable. There just weren't enough days to taste everything though. I did get to partake in Frescas 99 cent Chicken Taco Tuesdays and thoroughly enjoyed every bite. I forced myself to eat donuts although I was never hungry for them but I knew I would crave them again when in Africa and I ate more candy than Willie Wonka.
I spent as much time as possible hanging out with my adorable little nephew. When he wasn't busting open his lip or hanging from bleachers, we had some fun times. I went with him and Heidi to his Gymboree class and had a blast (need a synonym for this word!) watching him play with all the toys and other kids. The teacher of the class reminded me of a human version of Barney so I was a little freaked out by him but Vander seemed to enjoy himself. The first picture I've entitled "Lady in Red." get it? The second picture is called, "big chicken" and the third picture is "cell phone junkie." It's so cute how he knows how to hold on to a phone. (even funnier is the fact that a few days ago he threw Heidi's I-phone into the toilet!)
How stinking cute is this guy??? Unfortunately it appears that he may have inherited the infamous Hardeman toes. My mom would have freaked out if she had been home when Dan was "playing" with Vander by tossing him in the air! He loved it though and it is so fun to watch Dan and Van together- they're constantly giggling.



















I'm writing this entry from Mozambique, still pondering how both worlds feel like home to me although they are so different. As I thought about where "home" is, God reminded me that although I do have homes here on earth and am immensly blessed, I shouldn't get too comfortable and cannot forget where my true home is. I wish that I had the perspective every moment of every day that I my time here on earth should be lived as a "stranger" since my true home is in heaven. There are times in Mozambique and in California when I feel a longing- not to be in another country but for something better- something that earth cannot offer. I wish I had this longing for heaven all the time but I confess I often forget about my true home and get so consumed with my life here on earth. My prayer is that I would constantly be looking toward heaven, longing for it, and treat my time on earth as it is: temporary. One of my favorite passages is Hebrews 11:13-16 when the author is discussing the hall of famers for faith:

"All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth. People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to reture. Instead, they were longing for a better country- a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them."

Before playing basketball games at Westmont, I would always listen to my "pump up" music which included Steven Curtis Chapman. Yes, I'm old school and got teased plenty for it. I would often listen to the following song, "Not Home Yet" to calm me down so I wouldn't freak out about playing bad. When I remember that while I'm on earth, I am not truly home yet, the problems of this world seem much smaller. Please pray that I would daily be reminded that I am NOT HOME YET!!!

To all the travelers
Pilgrims longing for a home
From one who walks with you
On this journey called life's road
It is a long and winding road

From one who's seen the view
And dreamt of staying on the mountains high
And one who's cried like you
Wanting so much just to lay down and die
I offer this, we must remember this

We are not home yet
We are not home yet
Keep on looking ahead
Let your heart not forget
We are not home yet
Not home yet

So close your eyes with me
And hear the Father saying, "welcome home"
Let us find the strength
In all His promises to carry on
He said, "I go prepare a place for you"
So let us not forget

We are not home yet
We are not home yet
Keep on looking ahead
Let your heart not forget
We are not home yet
We are not home yet
Keep on looking ahead
Let your heart not forget
We are not home yet

I know there'll be a moment
I know there'll be a place
Where we will see our Saviour
And fall in His embrace
So let us not grow weary
Or too content to stay
'Cause we are not home yet
We are not home yet
Not home yet
So let us journey on

We are not home yet
We are not home yet
Keep on looking ahead
Let your heart not forget
We are not home yet
Not home yet