Growing Pains

I love to try and write eloquent blogs, blogs that give my readers a taste of what I'm experiencing. I want my readers to see, hear, taste, and feel what I am experiencing. But today, I'm at a loss for words. It's Sabbath here at Gimbie Adventist Hospital, and I'm sitting in the quiet of Petra's office journaling, posting pictures on Facebook, and filling all of you in via this blog. Gimbie has been a much needed break for Sarah and I. The setting is incredible, a mountain paradise, the people are wonderful, and the food has been more than tasty. But Gimbie has also given me too much time to think. I am so grateful for the hospitality of everyone here and have had a fantastic time, but the solitude and "taste of home," has made me miss family something terrible. Also, unfortunately for me, my character was in pretty bad shape when I left the US, so God has been working double time on me over the last month. I don't want to sound pessimistic or dismal, but life here has been very overwhelming for me for a number of reasons. I feel as though I'm a completely different person today than I was when I left my house a mere month ago. Culture shock, too much free time before school starts, and a boatload of personal issues have made the last month one of the most difficult I've ever experienced in my lifetime. That being said, I know without a shadow of a doubt that this is where God wants me. He is growing me to lean only on Him, and to trust His plan for my life. Have tears been shed? Yes, many. Have days been hard to wade through? You better believe it. But I know God is by my side, and I know that when I can look back on all of this one day, I wouldn't change one single detail. The days are dragging, but time is flying. This Tuesday will be one month since we left home. WOW. 8 1/2 months to go. Sounds like a long time, but when I think about how fast this month has gone by, I'm thrilled and saddened to realize how quickly I'll be boarding a plane for the States. Anyways, this blog post has been mere ramblings, an attempt to write another blog before being away from Internet for possibly another month or two. My reason for writing this is two fold: First, to thank those of you who have been praying and ask that you keep it up. Second, to remind all of you that God is faithful. Life will throw us curve balls we are not prepared to handle, but God is by our side through them all. Hang on to Him and let Him change you into the person He wants you to be. Love and hugs from Ethiopia!!!