Home...for another week!

I apparently haven't downloaded my pictures from Canada yet, and I didn't take that many because to be quite honest I was far too busy living, but I figured I should do another update on the wild life of Lina. First, a quick run-down of my Canadian trip:

* I was stranded at Laguardia Airport for 28 hours. This meant I spent the night partly on the floor and partly in the food court, and that I now would rather wrestle a yeti than go back there again.

* Beth rescued me, and we got to see Niagara Falls from both sides.
* The Canadian border guards take themselves VERY seriously.
* I got to hold four day old goat kids, drive a tractor, meet some alpacas, drink Timmies, and got a hair cut.
* It was beyond amazing to get to spend some time with Beth again; I have missed her terribly over the 16 months, and we spent a lot of time talking and knitting.

Now that I'm back Stateside, I have just over a week to fit in all the things I need to do before heading back. Sorting through and packing up personal items, buying the last few things on my list, writing a TExES exam to add the Core Subjects 4-8 to my teachers certification, and two more presentations. Prayers for strength and grace (for others and myself) as I process through the many lists, the many emotions, and make decisions about the next few months would be appreciated. The time went far too quickly...

So Very Blessed

Once again a whole lot of life has been lived in the past few days. I got to spend almost a week in Montana with a dear, dear friend. She graciously allowed me to visit her while her family was trying to pack up and move, and in the midst of all the crazy that is her life right now, she spoiled me with treats and refreshed my spirit. It's not every friend who you can laugh with as easily as you can cry with, but God is so good and brought our lives together almost fourteen years ago. On this visit I got to know and spend some time with her beautiful little girl, and while I couldn't take all their burdens away, it was a privilege to be able to serve my dear friend and her family in a few small ways.

After some delay I made it to Colorado again and was able to spend my brother's birthday weekend with him. It was so special to be actually there, to meet more of his friends, and see snow! My brother is one of the kindest, most generous people I've ever met, and it was so wonderful to get to spend some more time with him. After having spent some time there, I can see why so many people fall in love with Colorado!

I'm just home for about two days before I head off on my last trip of this furlough; I'm going even farther north to Canada to see my third soul sister. In the midst of getting ready for that I am starting to pack and repack up my things for storage at my parents house. My time in the States is rapidly coming to a close and I know I won't be able to fit in everything I want to do, but I am determined to keep living each day to the full, and making every moment count.

Parting Shot: Going up Pike's Peak on the cog railway was an amazing experience; the views over the snow covered mountains were absolutely stunning. God is an awesome God!