Jamba Juice and Lake Calhoun

Photos of our time in the States to date...

One day after Jayson and the kids arrived, four families began arriving for three days of camping at Tarrah's parent's house in Bemidji.

We had two birthdays to celebrate right away! Tarrah's birthday cake, June 20

Sydney's birthday cake, June 19

Grandma and Grandpa have had so many special things lined up for the kids. Here's Grandma hosting a tea party for the kids in the treehouse

Root beer, grapes, snickerdoodles, mini-sandwiches, and then tea...what a great time with Grandma!

Ani got her ears pierced. This picture...pre-pierce.

Post-pierce was a bit sad for Ani. But now, she loves having her ears pierced.

I am sitting here in my friends Anna and Eric’s living room. The house smells really yummy. I have shorts on. I was able to go to our home church the morning, The Mills Church. I had lunch with friends. Then we all went to Jamba Juice and Lake Calhoun with a different friend and Anna is currently doing something with puff pastries and brie. My life is really good right now.

Prep for an amazing meal, Anna Schaberg style

Hospitality oozed in our direction while staying with Eric and Anna Schaberg


Playing at the park with the Schaberg kids

Let’s talk about all the things I am wild about as I end my third week in the States (in no particular order, so please do not read into it). Interstates. The Mills Church. Walking paths/sidewalks. My parents. Unending and uninterrupted electricity. Grape Nuts. Watching Jayson watch the World Cup. Long conversations with friends. Going to Sarah’s kid’s baseball/softball games. Berries. My cousin Chelsea’s hand-me-down clothes for yours truly. Cheese. “Camping” with friends. My dad’s fish fry. And let’s go back to berries for a second. I am loving them so much that I am contemplating eating my weight in berries this summer. I will let you know how that fares.

Jayson watching the World Cup - a wonderful pastime for him to unwind and enjoy

Am I sounding a little gushy-gushy about my time in the States? Yes. Will I compare the States to India. No. They are two very different countries and if I try to compare the two then I will do a disservice to both countries. I will say this though, this was my home for 30 plus years and I am absolutely wild about being home. Every day holds something fabulous. I am so thankful.

Has it been overwhelming to be here? Sometimes, but that’s okay. I should be overwhelmed at times. But I am just going with it. Why fight it.

Jayson has been working/speaking for Freedom Firm a decent bit since he got in. Not every day, but enough to feel the weight of the fight against human trafficking as we share with anyone who will listen.

Last Thursday, we started the summer “never ending road trip”. From this point on, we will not be in any spot for more than five days. Other than the fact that I may rename our family from “the palm six” to the “perfect storm”, we are actually quite favorable house guests, being that we live in a third world country usually. We are pretty much wowed by anything that anyone brings our way.

What a Palm family U.S. road trip looks like from the front seat

Also what a Palm family road trip looks like. At this point, Sydney had tried five different "potty stances", none of them quite working.

I am certain that this time in the States is necessary for our sustainability back in India. To revive. To connect. To sort. To drive.

Okay, it’s time to be done, for there is a delectable meal to be enjoyed and wonderful conversation to be had. Cheers for now.