I came across a quote the other day: "Joy is not in things; it is in us." From a Christian worldview, this means that, no matter how much our circumstances change--where we go or what we have or don't have--the joy deep within us never leaves us. Jesus is God with Us, Emmanuel, and I've been reminded of that in so many ways the past few days that I've been extremely homesick. Thank you to those of you who have sent prayers and words of encouragement my way as those reminders. It's just a weird feeling to miss people and a way of life I was so accustomed to and still experience the excitement of being in a new culture, exactly where God has led me to be. He's teaching me to look for the joys in the everyday: the incredible mountains surrounding me, my students' excitement about learning, the sweet and funny times I spend with friends, and the sacredness of serving here as a missionary. Even though I miss some of my old comforts, and even if things appear to be a little politically unstable in other parts of the country, I am reminded of the ever-present gift of God with me:"Why are you down in the dumps, dear soul? Why are you crying the blues? Fix my eyes on God—soon I'll be praising again. He puts a smile on my face. He's my God."
(Psalm 43:5)
