I’m Coming Home!

I’M COMING HOME!

 

I cannot believe that it has already been 11 months!

 

As I begin to think about everything that has happened since January, I realize how my perspective of “normal” has changed dramatically.

 

I have become accustomed to

moving approximately every 28 days.

I have slept in 41 different locations

with barely enough space for myself

and my one bag.

I can count on one hand the number of times

I have been alone.

I am CONSTANTLY surrounded by people.

I have eaten things that I still

question what they were.

I spent 2 consecutive months eating

with my hands instead of using utensils.

I have been stared at and had my picture

 taken as if I was the hottest new celebrity

 just because I have white skin.

I have taken a countless number of

bucket showers, used squatty potties,

and carried toilet paper everywhere

never knowing when I might

need it. I still find toilet paper

hidden in my pockets.

I have washed my laundry by hand in every

country. In month 7, I was talking to a friend

who said it would be a great laundry day

since it was raining. I began to disagree with

her thinking it would be ridiculous to hang

 clothes out in the rain. Then I realized

how far I had fallen from the “American

 normal.” I have not used a dryer all year

and am ecstatic about pulling warm

clothes out of the dryer.

I  have spent hours praying for

people that I met 5 minutes prior.

Talking and praying for strangers on

the street is oddly common.

Telling a homeless woman that she

is beautiful and loved is now a

natural part of my life.

Being invited into strangers’ homes is so

common that I go in willingly and without

question. A 10 year old boy, remembering

what his parents said about strangers, told

me that we should not go to a man’s

house in Moldova because it might not

be safe while I was ready to go have tea

and cookies with the man.

I have served the communities I visited

by cooking for them, cleaning their toilet,

playing with the neighborhood kids,

teaching English, praying for them,

and so much more.

 

I have cried tears from deep sorrow.

And laughed until I cried.

 

 

Basically, I have become comfortable with the “uncomfortable.”

 

As this chapter of my life closes, I will miss the adventure, marching into unknown territories, the community, worship, and my P Squad family.  I realize I will be leaving behind everything that has become my “normal” and adjusting to a new “normal,” a new adventure, and a new community. I am ecstatic to begin the next chapter of my life and as I begin this transition, I ask for you to have grace and patience with me. There will be days when all I can do is talk about the crazy adventures or the people I lived with for almost a year. There will be days when I cry as I reminisce about my time traveling. In the midst of my crazy emotions, I do not want you to push me away or change the subject. In fact, I want you to ask me questions. Unique questions.

 

And I want to know what has happened in your life since I have been gone. I know your life has continued and I long to hear your stories.

 

 I cannot wait to see and hug everyone!