How does it feel to be back home, well it feels great! Its wonderful to be surrounded by family and friends and to be home where everything is familiar and welcoming. I'm constantly reminded how blessed we are! Like when I hop in the shower and the water comes out burning hot....when I look in my closet and see all the clothes I have...when I'm surrounded by people that love me and care for me....when I pick up my cell phone....when I walk into Walmart and see all the options and aisles and aisles of food....when I walk into the baby section and see children with their families....We are so blessed and don't even realize it!
Yet I see the things that Ecuadorians have that American's don't....a way of relaxing and enjoying life, when we are in such a hurry to stay on schedule....strong family ties and connections that most in America don't have....they are not consumed with technology....a survival mindset that most American's have to Google to find....
Do you miss Ecuador? You betcha! I miss the children, its so hard to crawl out of bed early when there are not six orphans babies waiting for me...I miss the tias, I miss the bread (O, it was the best!), I miss Natasha....the Spanish....the culture (never thought I would say that)...it is a different place, a different world....but my heart grew to love it!
I'm still shocked by little everyday things....like when I seen a white egg, and had to look twice.....when my nephew ran away from me when I went to hug him.....when my nephew came out in his little diaper and I said, O WOW, he is so white!!....when I see all the obese people that do practically nothing......when I see people complaining when they have it so easy....
Little bizarre things that happen to me now remind me of Ecuador, maybe I just didn't notice them before or forgot them, but now I see them and remember them, they make me laugh, and give me something else to tell Natasha! :)
Or the things that should embarrass me but I just smile and walk on....I'm use to the stares, and being noticed so I think nothing of it...
Has it changed you? I'm still finding out all the ways that God has worked and moved in my life, and I'm so thankful! But I don't want to go back, I wanted God to change my heart, life, priority's and perspective.
Would you go back? In a heartbeat! :) But for now I know this is where God has me, so I'm more than content and thankful to be here!
It's so hard to remember that not everyone has seen and been through what I have in the past three months, so I have to continually remind myself that I am the one who has changed, not them. God has so much to teach me yet here.....I'm thankful for my country, but grieving for my country, we seem to be so blind to the world around us, the world outside of our comforts.
So I take it one day at a time, trusting God for tomorrow, but this has been one of my biggest priority since I have been home. To do everything that I have been given to do today, to the best of my ability's. Because we never know how it will bless or encourage or bring glory to God.
And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men. Colossians 3:23
Whether therefore ye eat or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31
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