There is no profound spiritual insight or wisdom in this one, just a little personal examination of where I am in this journey.

As many of your already know, I was recently blessed with the opportunity to spend some time (4 weeks) in the States.  I was able to attend the wedding of a very dear friend of mine in MN, meet my best friend’s 6 week old baby boy Ayden,  and to get some R&R at home in Durham, NC. 

It was great to spend time with friends and family in a place so familiar.  I was able to indulge in some of my favorite things . . . . family dinners (prepared by mom); “grandma’s chocolate pie;” special activities with the kids (which may have sometimes allowed them to skip school); sleepovers (mostly with the kids but once with my sis ;-)); long chats with family and friends (usually over food); Sushi lunch with my bestie; attending my home church; Chic-Fil-A (ate there 12 times); “hanging out” @ Barnes & Noble with my cinnamon spice tea;  watching the kids at gymnastics and baseball;  and FOOTBALL (attended 2 college games; 1 NFL game; and watched 11 full games on TV with my dad). 

I couldn’t list everything but I think you get the picture.  It was an amazing time.  All of these people and activities are familiar and comfortable and home to me.  Durham is and always will be my home . . . part of my heart is there and I love it!

So this is where the surprising part came in . . .

I flew back to Nicaragua on October 1^st and much to my surprise I came home.  I didn’t just arrive back on the field, but I came home.

I felt it almost instantly as I got off of the plane.  I was thinking of going to my house, not just to a place I was staying.  I was eager to reconnect with my friends and community, not just to “get back to serving” where God has placed me.  I felt more like I was returning home than leaving home.  It was so natural that it caught me off guard.

Over the next few days it became so apparent that this shift had truly taken place in my mind and in my spirit.  It all happened so subtly and I realize now as I’m trying to explain it that I really don’t have the words.  Quite simply, God has made this home for me.  This brings me such joy.

***If you take these words to mean that I’ve decided to commit to living here forever, then you are missing the true message of this blog.  I do not know what the Lord has for me 3 years from now any more than I did last month or expect to next month.  Nor do I presume to know the entirety (or even a smidge) of His plans for this season.   However, what I am saying is . . .

I am blessed in this season.  I am home. 

I look forward to continuing to update you on this journey . . .

(brought a little "home" home with me 

)