10 Lessons

As many of you know, over the past year and a half I ended up spending a lot more time in the US than I thought I would. In anticipating our trip back to the US in 2012, I had had a lot of expectations, ideas of needs and wants, plans and hopes. Rumblings that I thought would be quelled. Cravings to be filled. This time back in the US included some of the deepest trials of my life and some of the deepest joys as well. Now that I'm back over in this part of the world and resuming my life here, I'm taking some time to reflect over all this, and share some of the things I've learned about myself.

1) I used to say that I don't take showers here in East Africa b/c it's too much work (i.e- land of no water heaters, or just super expensive ones). However, I realized I don't take showers any more often in the US (i.e.- land of water heaters). My lack of shower taking has nothing to do with water heaters, but with the fact that I just don't like to take showers. I don't like to be wet. I might be part cat.
2) Time with family and friends will never be enough. I'll always want more. I am so grateful that these relationships still endure across all distances.
3) I can have a home in multiple places. Home is where the heart is, isn't it? My heart is in the US and it is here. I guess I'm a nomad:)
4) Living a nice normal life in the US doesn't satisfy. Living out of obedience to God does satisfy.   It's a really good place to be... in His arms.
5) The food in the US continues to be significantly better than food here. That's actually not a new lesson. I learned that a long time ago.
6) I sometimes think that I'm in charge of my life... that my life is predictable... that storms won't come my way. I never anticipated the journey we've had with our sweet peanut Atira, but I wouldn't trade what I've learned (or her:) for the world. It's changed me...
7) I'm a very different person than the person I was 2, 4, and especially 8 years ago. I think back on the person I was and I'm grateful for all the people who offered me grace when I didn't offer grace, who offered patience when I didn't offer patience, and who acted in humility when I acted in pride.
8) I have so much to learn.
9) I will never run out of craft project ideas. I will always run out of time to get them done.
10) I should have started my new tradition of eating milk and cookies before I go to bed many years ago. What was I thinking?