Heading Home....

It’s been a long time, again, I know...since I've written! I have to admit…I’m a bad blogger… And for those of you who haven’t given up on me…I’m sorry. I’ve been meaning to write in regards to my last post. After reading it over again and learning more about the culture here – I realize that first; I sounded very ignorant and arrogant, and second; this man in the bathroom was simply washing off before his set prayer time. Most of you probably already knew that’s what was going on. I think what’s interesting in light of my reaction, is how ignorance can spark wrong or inequitable feelings and reactions. Sure, I am entitled to my own opinions – but the lack of sensitivity I showed this man, was by far the wrong reaction – at least according to my own standards. And to be quite honest with you, he showed me, a foreigner and woman way more consideration and understanding than he needed to. Should he have been bathing in a public airplane?…maybe not…maybe…but that’s not for me to decide. I have no right nor have I earned the right to make that decision.

At certain times in life, we see ourselves for who we really are and realize just how silly and ignorant we are. It’s so easy to become arrogant and lose track of that character my Grandparents would be proud they instilled in my parents who instilled it in me. This brings me to my next point…in just a couple of days, I’m heading home; I’m going home for Thanksgiving! J This could not come at a better time. I’ve been here in Libya for about 8 months, traveled Europe widely and met lots of new people. I’ve gained and lost… and gained again. I’ve grown in many ways…but I’ve also lost sight of where I’m heading… I’ve lost sight of what it means to be a woman of character and integrity/dignity. Not that I have done anything specifically that displayed a lack of integrity…but I don’t “feel” it. I don’t feel as sharp as I have felt before. I’m also thinking about my future in terms of employment – granted it’s too early to be thinking like this…but at some point I need too. And when I do, I need the right perspective in order to make the right decision. And there is no better place to regain that perspective than at home.

I’m so thankful that I can say this; that I can look forward to spending time with my family. Many people do not have this “luxury”. Many suffer in loneliness and have nowhere to call home or no one to look to for guidance. For some reason, God has always provided a family for me, where ever I’ve gone. Family, close friends and community is so important to me. I thrive around people I love and who love me. I think most people do. So very happily, I leave Wednesday for a night in Amsterdam and then flight out Thursday morning for New Hampshire. Laura (sister-in-law) will spend the weekend together – celebrating a pre-Thanksgiving, among other things. And then on Sunday I’ll fly to good ol’ Shreveport Louisiana to spend a week with my Aunt and Uncle, cousins, brother David, sister-in-law Rebecca, nieces, nephews, Grandma and Dad! We’ll play lots of games for sure, buy matching pajama’s for Christmas, shop, shop, shop, talk about life and the direction we need to be heading, we’ll eat lots of food at home and out a restaurants and then workout and discuss plans for weight loss, we’ll watch movies, laugh a lot and pray together.