Anne,

A little wishing for how things once were is fun, isn't it? Perhaps is that your "foretaste" or what Heaven will be like?

I didn't grow-up in an "Adventist Ghetto" but was raised SDA (third generation) and lived in one while going to college (Collegedale, TN). My wife (a convert from Methodism) and I loved it and we have many positive memories. We've lived in other places for the last 36 years and every few years are back to visit for some period of time. Almost every time, my wife asks the question if we could enjoy living there again and each time the answer is no, that we prefer being away where we have both the freedom and responsibility to represent God to those who either believe differently, or who do not know God at all. It just doesn't seem like we could have the same missionary challenges and rewards back there that we have now.