11 days! say what?!

In exactly 11 days I'll be on a plane flying home to Austin, to stay this time. Everyone has been asking me how I feel about going home and having to say goodbye to Peru. I'm actually not really sure how to answer that.

I'm excited of course. I have missed home. Being gone so long has even given the word home a new meaning.

Home is where my support system is, home is where most of my memories are, home is where the people I'm crazy about are, home is where I feel the most comfortable and free, home is where I've never laughed harder, home is where the little moments are the most valuable, home is where all my favorite foods are, home is where I feel known and feel like I know others.

I'm excited to be back to that :) Being away where you are out of your comfort zone, out of your element, where you are being defined and challenged daily, where you struggle with something so simple as the language, where you've never felt more out of control, where you have no choice but to just trust in God's hand and mercy is...

actually pretty epic.

And I might miss that even more. I've learned a lot here, I've grown a lot here, I've seen a lot here. I've met people who have shown me unconditional love, who have shown me fearlessness and freedom, who have shown me what it looks like to give constant thanks and praise to Christ, who have shown me the beauty of being honest and open and letting someone into your life.

And when I say people, I´m referring to but a handful. And my heart might just break upon having to say goodbye to life with them. It´s not like our relationship is over, of course. But there is a great difference between living life daily with someone and simply keeping up with them in cards or emails.

So I have to say goodbye to Peru soon. It'll be so hard. It's such a strange thing to have to say goodbye to such good friends without guarantee that you will see them again. But the adventure isn't over. One thing I've realized is that Peru isn't my only adventure. Life in general is something that should be seen as crazy, awesome, and one of a kind. So I'm excited for what comes after this. It'll be good :)