Home. I love home. I am a bit embarrassed how excited I am to be home. I also enjoy traveling but coming home is the best. I am rooted and grounded here having resided in this dwelling for most of my life and spending half of my childhood in a home a few miles away. More importantly, home is where my heart is as it is where my family is found. This trip stretched me in many ways, one was the time apart from my husband. I missed his presence and desired to share the experience with him. Very honestly, I desired for him to be by side helping me cope with experiences I found to be very much outside my comfort zone. Many years ago, my late brother-in-law, referred to this man in my life as the 'hum' of my life. He observed I am much calmer with him rather than an erratic, emotional mess. I felt incomplete without him on this journey. Having my husband's support during this trip and the prayers of many others, I made it through and now stronger. Although I am certain that had he been by my side physically, I would have thrived so much better.
I had one daughter by my side, experiencing the thrill of seeing a foreign land and being involved in ministry. I had another daughter at home. There were many sights and experiences I wished to share with her and yearned for her to experience herself. This was the year of separate family travels as she went on her own journey to Costa Rica in the spring. She had her own experiences.
I was stretched, pulled out of my comfort zone, into another land and culture. For a time, on the mountain top, we were where time seemed to not have moved in that past 100 years. There was a feeling of walking into a text book or National Geographic magazine as we gazed at the untouched landscape and interacted with the beautiful people in their colorful, traditional, everyday clothes. Without the conveniences of running water or electricity, these people live as they have lived for many decades.
I strive to appreciate and be content in my home at all times. Although I fail, being human and not perfect. I live in an old home, over a hundred years old. Yet compared to the mountain top, my home as been updated to American standards. I have indoor plumbing including a hot water heater. I have solid walls and windows with glass. I have electricity and modern appliances. My return to my abode from the time on the mountain gives me a much greater appreciation for my space and modern conveniences. I do miss the beauty of the mountains, the brilliance of the night sky in the darkness and thin air, high up in the sky. My flat land in the plains filled with lights does not compare.
I have much to say about our trip. I am still processing it in my mind and spirit. I have notes to sort through to try to put into words about our experiences. Stick with me, give me a few more days to begin that process. Right now, I am busy getting back into the home routine. Laundry, groceries, unpacking, etc. Preparing for the beginning of the school year, shuttling children to appropriate activities. I have delighted in hearing from many of my dear friends that prayed for me and am making connections with them.
Now to sort through some pictures and begin the writing to share with you who have walked this journey with me cheering me on and praying. Soon, my friends, soon.
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