Home

This afternoon I pulled a scarf off the hanger and the air around me suddenly filled with the smell of Kigali. I buried my face in the scarf and breathed deeply. At that very moment I was missing Rwanda in such a fierce way. I miss Rwanda daily, but I don’t always long for it. But today, today I long for it. And I am holding the scarf close, cherishing the memories and the earthy, raw smell.

In spite of this, I know I’m not called to be there right now. I’m called to be here in Minnesota. And I’m still trying to come to terms with that, but even amidst the longings there is peace, because my home is not defined by a single, physical place. My home is in God’s presence and His presence is everywhere.

I’ve made it to Thanksgiving break. I’ve completed three months of college. Time feels like it’s passing so quickly, but at the same time it feels like I’ve been here for so long…how has it only been three months? 

God has blessed me with the opportunity to fly down to North Carolina for Thanksgiving and so here I am, bundled up in cold Minnesota, pulling my summer clothes out of Rubbermaid bins because it is going to be a whopping 60 degrees (Fahrenheit). Maybe I’ll even bring my chacos!

I’m fighting discouragement that most of my luggage weight is consisting of books and school work, so Thanksgiving break will not be much of a break. But I’m going to see my family (some of them, at least) and that thought puts a smile on my face.

The past three months have been wonderful and terrifying and heart-wrenching and beautiful and everything in between. I’m thankful for a chance to step away from campus for a week, but I’m realizing just now that I will miss my friends, and my classes, and my bed, and my life here.

God is so good. He is the source of everything I need and desire. I will be leaving my home in Minnesota to go to my home in North Carolina. And I’m about to get on an airplane and my excitement is bubbling over at that thought. And I’m thankful that I serve and love a God who goes with me wherever I go.