When I announced that I was going to Children's Ministries Institute in Missouri this fall, a common response was, "So, you're going off to 'misery'?" Today marks one month since my arrival at Child Evangelism Fellowship international headquarters -- the longest I've ever been away from home. But so far, I've found it to be anything but misery. Some things I love about being here:
. . . Real thunderstorms. We've had four so far.
. . . Amazing instructors.
. . . People from all over the world. Especially when they speak other languages.
. . . Crazy classmates and thoughtful ones (sometimes in the same person).
. . . In jokes. Slurp it up, people.
. . . Laughing until my head hurts.
. . . Being stuck in traffic and talking about God. Even if we broke curfew.
. . . Blazing sunsets and a bigger horizon to see the stars.
. . . Writing a theology paper. You already know how much I like that.
. . . Little blue butterflies.
. . . Amazing prayer warriors. And the prayer plaza.
. . . Acoustics in the stairwells of a remodeled monastery.
. . . Dressing up.
. . . Internet. And sending newsletter e-mails.
. . . Hearing first-hand about God's works around the world.
I'm not one to get homesick, but of course there are things that just aren't the same so far away. Some things I miss about not being home:
. . . Fresh food.
. . . Sleeping outside.
. . . Playing piano whenever I want.
. . . Coniferous forests.
. . . My family.
. . . Quiet and darkness.
. . . Animals.
. . . Children (ironically scarce).
. . . Going barefoot.
. . . Friends who know me.
. . . My church.
. . . Driving.
. . . Living in a house.
. . . My Good News Club.
. . . Doing chores.
I'm very happy where I am, because it's very obvious that God wants me to be here. I love my good old Pacific Northwest, and I always will, but I begin to believe I could be happy almost anywhere. No doubt God will test that statement, but if home is where the heart is, I hope that I could feel at home anywhere, my heart all for the One who is everywhere.
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