so that what cannot be shaken may remain

Surprising things I've missed from North America:

Sam's Club and/or Costco
Coldstone happy hour with gram & grandpa
Halloween
Thanksgiving.  Me on November 27th to anyone who would listen, "So, today's like, a really big deal in the United States... yea no, it's fine, it's just like, one of the most important holidays... you... eat certain foods... yea."
Washing machines
Medicines: Probiotics

Not so surprising:

Chipotle
English
Driving
Christmas

Lessons learned from the month of testing:

When everything else is undependable, God is dependable.
It was quite a month. I came to expect things to go wrong. We would go to a café to get internet, it wouldn't be working there. I went to wash my hands in the café, and found that the water wasn't working (with soap in hand). We finally got back to the place we'll be staying long term, and the water wasn't working there either (A few days later, they got the pump fixed and we now have water). Thankfully, one faucet out back was working. Phones. Internet. Have both been rather unpredictable. Technology = undependable. Health. I've had an upset stomach for over a week. I think it's improving. (Probably bed) bug bites. Eating a steady diet of fruits and vegetables = undependable. Anything. Anything we expect... I think of Hebrews 12:26-28: ²⁶ At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, “Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.” ²⁷ The words “once more” indicate the removing of what can be shaken—that is, created things—so that what cannot be shaken may remain.
²⁸ Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, ²⁹ for our “God is a consuming fire.”

Removing what can be shaken so that what cannot be shaken may remain. Amen!