Parting Ponderings.... and HOMECOMING!

How is it possible that three months has passed by so quickly? It probably sounds odd to you, but I feel as if I have been here in Africa for “forever” and the “blink of an eye” all at the same time! I feel so at home here, almost as if my work in Malawi is just beginning. Yet at the same time, I know that God has lots in store for me back home across the globe. For instance, I have the honour of standing up for one of my beautiful friends who is about to be married this coming May. I also have a school year to prepare for... my future second-graders deserve all the energy and creativity I can give them! And the excitement doesn't end there... Another special friend's wedding awaits me in July... and I have the honour of being the Master of Ceremonies. Yes, these spring and summer seasons promise to be busy ones!

And so it is that I find myself boarding the airplane, (no, make that FOUR airplanes) for my trip home. The funny thing is, though the Bulkley Valley will always be the “forever home” in my heart, God is teaching me the secret of learning to be at home in many places... and Malawi is just one of those special places! I leave behind friends and two very special families here, and I pray that the friendships I have made will not end in good-bye. I am leaving babies whose cries I know as well as their names, nannies who laugh with me and share their wisdom, and kids whose faces and voices will stay embedded in my heart for a very long time...

Can you tell that my heart is a little bit torn? Just a little bit of my heart wishes that three months had not flown by so fast, but another huge part is excited for home... How I miss my Mom's hugs and her homemade raspberry jam, my Dad's prayers, the sight of my sister Kim's car headlights heading up the driveway as she comes to visit, and of course, Marissa's dramatic stories and last minute editing requests! I miss fresh flowers in a vase on the kitchen table, freshly brewed coffee shared with my parents in the morning... especially when I get to enjoy it served in my pottery mug in my pyjamas! I miss my kitchen... the smell of something chocolately baking in the oven, or freshly made "from scratch" pancakes with honey and peanut butter... but now I am starting to get hungry... how about you? :) If you are in the area, pop in for a visit when I get home... I would love to brew you some coffee (or tea, now that I am truly Malawian!) and serve you a piece of whatever is coming out of the oven. Hundreds of pictures are waiting to be seen, and I can't wait to share a few stories! So, for the final time, blessings and greetings from Africa... though a little bit of Africa is coming home with me... I hope that my family recognizes the "African me" at the airport.... !! Blessings, and thanks to all of you, 

Laura