Clothes are strewn about the room, attempting to hide under beds. My Bible and journal sit to my right, a pen, some papers and my sketchbook are close by. I sit, typing this blog on my bed, baffled that it is our final day in Arad, Romania. That tonight I have to pack up my backpack and tomorrow we leave on a night train, beginning our journey to Moldova. It's difficult for my mind to compute that Month 10 is basically over.
Didn't I just start the World Race? How is it that I'm heading into Month 11?
I feel like it was just yesterday that we were at Training Camp. That was one year ago.
Africa seems like it was so recent. That was seven months ago.
Our five months in Asia flew by like a speeding rocket bound for the moon.
Back then, it seemed like Month 11 was so distant, so far away, just some distant day that would eventually come around. And here it is, one twist of the doorknob away.
Our month in Romania has been a good one, full of stretching and personal growth for me, especially as a leader. God has met me time and time again, picking me up off of my knees, holding my arms up when I felt I couldn't hold them on my own. It has been a month of learning the beauty in a day of hard work, and what a satisfying feeling it is to go to bed, exhausted and spent because you worked hard with your hands and body that day.
There are things I will miss about this place. I love the beautiful simplicity here. Seeing rows of white sheets drying in the warm sun, a breeze gently rushing through them, a green bed beneath and blue skies above. The beauty in the people here, their joy and smiles. Seeing sheep dot the hills, and watching the cows come home at the end of the day. Life is full of satisfaction and contentment, and simple beauty. The kind of simple beauty that just makes you sigh and close your eyes, soaking it all in.
I'll miss it, but I can't wait to incorporate that simple beauty into my own life.
And I'm excited to walk through that unknown door of Month 11 in Moldova, and beyond.
In two days we'll be in Moldova.
In 10 days, I'll celebrate my 24th birthday.
In 31 days, our squad will head for our final debreif.
In 37 days, I will set foot on U.S. Soil.
In 65 days, I will set foot in my home state of Arizona and see my family and friends.
And today, I will praise God for every step He's taken me through, and see what His plan and purpose is for me today. Who I can love, who I can pray for, how I can lead, what images He wants me to draw. He has my tomorrows, but He also has my today. And I am so blessed.
He is everything that I need to know.
