I´m home. Even though I almost missed my last flight from frankfurt, I finally made it. Was nice seeing my family and friends again knowing its gonna be for a little bit longer, not only for a short stop. I have had an amazing time in the United States and I`ll do my best to come back visit soon. I´m now starting/ catching up with my life back home. Excited how it´s gonna end- Kind of.

With all Love,

Sandra

Dear Joel and Kim,

When I left home a year ago, I knew I signed a paper that told me some basis for how my year was supposed to be. For example it said I was given the opportunity to learn a new language, be part of a great family and experience something I would hopefully remember for the rest of my life. With hindsight, I know there is so much more that needs to be on this paper. Where do I start?

I hate to start this letter because I know that even the best stories have to reach an end, somehow. Leaving my home country was not easy. Settling in another, where I didn´t know the people or the language, was not easier. But for some reason, with you as a family, I know I have always been safe and in good hands. You have all taught me so much in life and there is no good way of telling you how appreciative I am for every minute you have been wanted to share and spend some time with me. You have two wonderful kids and you should be so proud of them.

I admire Joey for the loving person he is. Every child is unique, we all know that. But there is something special with this little boy that I will never forget. He has a heart of gold. A heart that has been going through a lot of exercises and emotions. A heart that always wants everybody to be happy. A heart that is fair, a heart that cares about people, especially his friends. Joey is something above all other 8 year old kids I have ever seen. He is, in all honor, a  Bissing, Joey Bissing is his name.

Emilie was only 3 years and 4 months when I got here. She was that cute little girl who could turn from a magnificent sunshine to a crying sad girl, from one second to another, just like kids do.

When I think back, there is no doubt about that Emilie was the hardest one, the one who challenged me every single day. Emilie is also the one I should thank the most for giving me so much. For teaching me so much about life and how to act and react. For all those days when she woke up, crying for the two of you, forced me to not get upset, angry or stressed. For those days where she challenged my patience to the point where I just had to bite my tongue and keep on smiling. Those days were hard, demanding, exhausting, challenging, but most of all, they were worthwhile and memorable. They made me grow, they made me strong and they made me realize a little bit of what life is as a parent and what effort you have to put in as a parent. They made me work with myself, how I behaved and reacted in different situations. Since then, I have learnt that it is not only about the child, it is also about how you act to the child as a respond to their behavior.

Emilie is, just like her brother, a great child. She is; loving, caring, clever, stubborn and willing to learn. She has a great smile. Her smile is big enough to make thousands of people smile. Emilie and Joey´s smiles are stuck in my mind, stuck in my heart. Their smiles will always be there and remind me how important it is to smile, especially those days when life is not going your way all the time.

I don´t know how to say thank you enough to both of you. Giving me this opportunity is one of the most beautiful things I could have ever wished for. I have been so blessed to have everybody in the Bissing´s family around, letting me be part of the whole entire family.

Joel and Kim, from the bottom of my heart, THANK YOU for letting me experience something so beautiful, incredible and memorable- Thank you.

With all love and gratitude,

Sandra