Say no to booblights.

It's so lovely being home!

It's so nice being in my own bed!

Christian and I both woke up around 3:00 am.

Jetlag is really a doozy. 

Around 6:00, I got up and started the day.

I unloaded our suitcases, began the wash and started making a plan 

for our move-out from The House on the 6th in 2 weeks!

I was feeling a little overwhelmed, especially since when 1:00

rolled around, I was dead.

Claire sent us her RETURN information!!

She leaves Brazil on July 19th and gets to Raleigh on the 20th!

We're hoping we'll be able to bring her home to Stillested!

Tonight we all drove to The Home Depot.

We spend a lot of time there.

We've ordered most of the kitchen appliances, kitchen sink (it's black!),

and things for the bathroom, including new tile and flooring,

 my white countertops, a new front door, and lighting for most of the house.

(Say NO to booblights!  This house is full of them!)

Next week a load of fresh soil will be delivered. 

I'm going to gut the front landscaping, start over, and plant

 hydrangeas and lavender bushes.

Stillested.

 A few months ago, Christian came home from a work lunch 
and told me about a home out in the country that he had heard about

and that he had already gone to check it out and was really excited.

So, of course, we jumped in the car, so I could see for myself.

It was on a breathtaking land with 

large mature trees and pastures with cows grazing.

It smelled like the country, and it sounded like the country.

I knew our family belonged here, but 

the house was outdated and needed some love.

As I walked around, I noticed some apparent issues; 

it was really tiny with little rooms, a strange loft upstairs,

 no laundry room, and NO STORAGE. Like, anywhere.

It was immediately a no, and I put it out of my mind

 and told Christian that while it was in a perfect

spot in the world, it was too small for our big family.

I think Christian was really disappointed but very understanding.

Then we left.

The following day I was driving in the car and felt the Spirit prompt 

me to reconsider my feelings.

"It will work, Stephanie," I kept feeling.

And I ignored it because I didn't want it to work.

It needed a lot of work, and I wasn't sure if I was up to the task.

I was already tired of thinking about it and wondering

how I'd get our family (plus Angus) in there comfortably.

The feeling never went away, and finally, a few days later,

 I asked Christian if he'd take me back to the house.

I told him about my promptings and how I was tired of being stubborn

and ignoring the Spirit.  

"It will work," I told Christian.

After that visit, I had new eyes. I saw potential and solutions.

I saw my family inside, Christmas trees, and 4th of July fireworks on the 

giant front lawn.

As we left the front porch, I felt three things:

1. How heavenly and quiet life would be living there.

2. We'd need to plant out Halloween pumpkins asap!

3. How aware God is of me.

We secured the house in early June.

Immediately we started making reconstruction plans for

 the bathrooms and kitchen.

We would also refresh some paint, landscaping, new lighting, 

and other easy fixes to get started.

One night I was lying in bed dreaming about how much I'd enjoy

 living quietly on several wide-open acres,

letting Angus run wild wherever he wants, 

and riding motorcycles wherever we want. 

 I saw us letting off fireworks, 

living without seeing one house in sight,

and getting our own cattle herd again.

Quiet was the word that kept coming into my head.

I was reminded of our family theme this year:

"Be still and know that I am God."

Being still in this new house would be easy for our family.

"Stille" in Danish means quiet, and "sted" means place.

Introducing: Stillested, 

the newest Nielson home.

Welcome home!!.

We did it! We landed safely in Raleigh, North Carolina!

It's green and lush and humid!

I couldn't be more excited to be home!

All the Nies picked us up at the airport

with takeout Mexican food in the car.

I ran to my Nies and hugged them with so much love in my heart!

When we got home, we pulled out the African surprises

we had brought home for them and heard stories

about when we were away.

We stayed up late talking and laughing.

I am so lucky to have such wonderful children who 

lived alone for two weeks (plus a few unexpected days)

happy and healthy. Jane did all the cooking and shopping

and took photos of events while I was gone.

(Homemade pretzels?!!!

Like:

1. The boys travel to Raliegh for a few days at the

FFA conference. Gigs started parting his hair.

2. The boys find a giant frog while having an air-soft war

in the backyard:

3. Lottie's adorable selfies:

4. Church selfies:

 Christian and I missed three weeks, and each Sunday,

they showed up together on time! I'm so proud of them!

5. They make a paper chain for Claire's return:

6. They eat together and STILL set the table!

I love having adventures, but I am most happy in my home

with my Nies!!!!

Out Of Africa on my 41st birthday.

 Today is day 16, and we're still stuck in Africa.

We're camped in an airport with several airplane blankets for some comfort.

I've been wearing the same clothes and underwear for nearly three days,

and it's my 41st birthday.

This morning I finished The Book of Mormon

just like I do every birthday.

I love the way The Book of Mormon makes me feel.

I love what truth feels like.

I love feeling peace and joy at the same time.

Christian made arrangements with another airline to fly us home

today. I'm so homesick, I could cry.

We finally left Africa and flew to Qatar somewhere in the Middle East.

Christian and I ate dinner at the airport in the fancy Harrods restaurant.

I felt like a slob in my dirty, stinky clothes.

Claire called us since it was her P-day.

It was a wonderful birthday gift; she is preparing to come home!

Only a month left!!!

We slept overnight on the airplane floor in a corner near

our gate on the mattress pad.

I'm a little delirious. What time is it? What day is it?

What's going on? Who's in charge?

I'm exhausted.

When I turned 40, I had a few birthday goals to accomplish 

before I turned 41.

1. Climb Kilimanjaro

2. Get my motorcycle license.

I did both! 

And now, I need to start thinking about what I am going to do

for my 41st year!

Someone in our group sent this photo in our group chat.

It made me laugh at how much of a disaster these last few days have been.

But, how wonderful our successful climb was, and this is nothing.

However, I am SO EXCITED to see The Nies, change my clothes,

shower, eat Mexican food and a good salad, sleep in my bed,

and begin moving preparations into our new home!

Day 13 & 14 & 15 (stuck) in Africa.

 

Today Christian took me to the hotel lobby, where 

there are many fancy shops for travelers to buy clothes, jewelry, art, and

other little (expensive) things.

Together we picked out a beautiful Tanzanite jewel

for my 41st birthday (on Monday) and to remember our adventures in Africa.

Tanzanite is only found in the Simanjiro District of the Manyara Region in Tanzania, 

in a tiny mining area near the base of Kilimanjaro.

I'll send it to Andrew in Utah for him to turn it into a one-of-a-kind ring

or something for me.  He's so good at designing and crafting this type of project.

Around 9:00 pm, we departed for the airport.

Long lines filled the airport, and our departure time got pushed back,

then again, then finally, we boarded and landed an hour away

and never took off again for three days.

We were stranded in Africa.

I don't know what happened; everyone has a reason; all I know is that

I was so glad Christian had packed our blow-up camping mattress in

his carry-on so we could sleep.

We were diverted to a hotel for a whole day for a shower and sleep,

but waited two more days in the airport waiting for a part to come

for the airplane?  Or was it because they weren't staffed?

I don't even know.

I hate flying anyway, so the whole thing was HORRIBLE!

Also, experiences like this really can bring out the worst in people.

It felt like I was in a scene from the movie; World War Z.

Day 12 in Africa

 Last night we slept in a bed!

Christian and I took a NyQuil before bed and zonked out

 for almost 12 hours in our hotel bed.

We finally rolled out of bed in the morning just in 

time to embark on a safari in Tarangire National; Park and saw

 lions, zebras, elephants, giraffes, wildebeests, 

monkeys (who stole our food when we stopped for lunch!), 

and a dead hyena.

While it was amazing and soooo cool to see these majestic animals,

I was also so exhausted and even fell asleep.

I think every one of our group in the car fell asleep.

But we had to pack the safari in today since we'd be flying out tomorrow.

Africa has been incredible.

I bought headbands from these beautiful ladies

for Jane and Lottie back at home.