headed home

So within the hour I will be on my way back to Lancaster. As much as I love Nyack, I am so excited and ready for this break. It will go by quickly, that's for sure. And at points, I don't think it will feel like a break at all. Regardless, I am so anxious to be home.

So here is a list of things that I am most excited for:

1. Turkey Hill's on almost every street corner and drink Turkey Hill Iced Tea.
2. My mother's wonderful home cooking.
3. To watch a sports game with my brother, Joel.
4. Central Market
5. Grocery shopping with my mommy
6. Lunch on Saturday with my oldest brother, Nathaniel.
7. Gaining from my daddy's wisdom :)
8. The Daycare Kids who make me laugh.
9. Reactions of people when they realize I got my nose pierced. ( hopefully my dad won't read this before I am home)
10. Lancaster Alliance Church.
11. Sleeping in my own bed
12. Access to a car
13. Spending all the time I can with Amber :)
14. Catching up with all those people who mean the most to me.
15. Family dinner on Sunday, and meeting my brother's new girlfriend.
16 A picnic lunch with Kelly, and maybe some Office.
17. Getting some things done for my summer internship in Gabon, Africa.
18. SPRING!
19. Telling people how much I love Nyack
20. Allowing myself to rest and relax, because life isn't moving any slower.

As I read all that it doesn't sound like I will be doing much relaxing. But, it will all be worth it :)

thankful for running water.

As I got in the shower the other day, the hot water quickly turned to ice. There was still shampoo in my hair and I was not about to get out. So as the water stayed cold, I started complaining to myself. I had a long day and I thought it perfectly normal to deserve some warm water to shower with. I mean, what's wrong with thinking I deserved the warmth of running water, right? After a few minutes of these complaints running through my head, I stopped. I was convicted. I had forgotten how truly blessed I am to even have running water to bathe with everyday. And not only to bathe with, but to drink, to cook with, and even to wash my clothes in.

With these thoughts came the image of a African women in a creek. It was the same African women that I saw last summer, doing laundry and dishes in the same area. Collecting water to cook with and showering in the same spot, in water that was far from clean, and didn't seem to be running at all. I lived like that for five days, with the exception that I did have clean water to drink.

Although I hate to admit this, I sometimes forget what living like that was like. I still remember it, but I do not have the same mindset as I did experiencing it all. I often get caught up in the way that I live now, with comforts surrounding me everywhere I look. But you see, the way that we live is not the normal for everyone. In fact, it is greatly different. I am blessed to simply have running water to shower in, even when it is freezing cold.

Father,
Forgive me for the simplicities I take for granted. Remind me of how blessed I am. And grant me awareness of how others live, that I may never forget I deserve nothing.