Home

     Home sweet home. Home is where the heart is. There's no place like home. We all get a warm, cozy feeling when we think of the word HOME. But where is home, really? If we think about it, home is not always easy to define, especially after we have gone away to college or moved out of the house we grew up in. One of the first activities we had to do in New York was to introduce ourselves and share with the group what "home" was to us. It was interesting hearing the varying responses from people. Some said that home was the town in which they grew up, others claimed their current place of resident as home, and a few said that home was whoever they are with at any given time. This made me think more deeply about what home is to me.

      Ever since I have gone to Costa Rica and returned to my home country of the United States, I have felt torn between my love for both places. Spending a significant part of time in Costa Rica had an impact on me. I know that this culture will always be a part of me. While I'm here in the U.S., I miss things about the tico lifestyle...and when I go back there, I will miss things about being American. It's a strange feeling, because I love traveling so much, but there comes a realization that at any given point of my life, I will always miss someone or something. I have friends all over the world, and have lived in several different places. No matter where I am, I will think of the memories I made somewhere else with people there. Though this can be hard at times, it's okay. Remembering the experiences I had helps me see how I've grown, and who I am now.

     Going back to Costa Rica in a few days will be bittersweet. Part of me is just bursting with excitement to be back there! I cannot wait to see old friends, speak more Spanish, and learn more about the Bible. But I also know that I will miss my family, house, and life here in Indiana. Whenever I travel somewhere, it takes some time to adjust again, but I know that in a week or so I will be okay, even good. I really believe that happiness comes from being content where you are. I can't let being away from certain people that I love make me miserable. And that is where home is - where I find happiness. Yes, it is a challenge. It isn't always easy. But knowing that God is with me and fulfills me gives me strength and joy. When I find my true joy in Him, I will be content wherever I end up. I can still maintain old relationships while forming new ones as well. It's all a part of the journey. So, bring on the travels - to new and familiar places: past, present, and future homes.