Something of late

One month. I have a ticket. One month. People have started to say to me things like: let's make sure and do this before you leave ...and make sure to make good last 'scenes' to look back on and remember..., and when shall we have your goodbye party?... One month. I went to put on a pair of shoes the other day only to realize those shoes that one week ago were stored under my bed, are now in America. My team leader for the summer was gracious enough to take home 2 of my 4 1/2...possibly 5 suitcases with him on his way to his sister's wedding. One month.
Tonight, I went to a friend's house for my usual weekly time in the Book with my sweet sisters. We are studying basically a quick from Creation to the cross. Tonight we read about Noah and the Tower of Babel. i was able to not eloquently, but sufficiently share my thoughts and pray in this second language that I now have panic attacks of going to America and forgetting. Can you believe I used to have panic attacks about never being able to learn this crazy language. He is so good. I'm more than I ever have been aware of how incredibly hard--despite my sheer ecstasy--that it is going to be to leave this place. To say the goodbyes that I have already started preparing myself to say, even as I tear up while I type. No one understands why I'm returning home. Why wouldn't I just stay forever? Why wouldn't I? Because, all I know is that home is obedient for now. I don't know what He has for me there, but He's got something and, like a line from a song that I love says, 'whatever's in front of me, I choose to sing Hallelujah.' It may be a mixed tearful hallelujah that first plane-ride as nearly all of my friends have offered to come to the airport--which I think may be more than my puddle of emotions will be able to handle. But, I am blessed for the 2 years I have lived and loved in this place. I will never be the same because of having lived here and I will love God more for having brought me here and sustained me here.
I'm studying the Psalms of Ascent right now, 120-134, psalms of pilgrims on a journey and that is what I am...a pilgrim on a journey. Now, it's become a journey home, but I know that I have found my real 'home' while I was away from home. And I will until I see Him face to face continue to be a pilgrim on my way there, home.

So, a few snapshots of our time of late. Spending lots of time, just about every night with friends and making the most of last opportunities. We went to make food with our sweet friend last night and I always love cooking with this friend because she's just not the best cook and she's learning, too. I can relate to that. I love all the fun phrases that can always be heard while cooking here, things like...be your own architect (when shaping rolls), it should be the consistency of your ear lobe (when kneading dough, of course), and then being reminded when our friend pulls out the special cheese from Cyprus, that she is using the 'special things' because her 'special friends' have come. 'Special friends'. A phrase that is music to my ears and sweetness to my soul. That is one of the scenes I'm storing up for a rainy day...