La Revedere, Moldova.

So, it's been quite some time since I articulated anything on my blog. There have been several reasons for that. Tonight, I don't really know the words to type but I feel that I can't let this night pass without airing my thoughts...if for no other reason for me to remember lessons I've learned this year. Tomorrow I will leave Moldova after calling it home for a year. To some people, a year is not a long time. In the grand scheme of things, they are right. A year comes and goes so quickly that sometimes it's hard to catch your breath. But for me, this year has felt like 10 years on one hand and like 10 minutes on the other.

To be honest, I am too tired and emotional (and nauseas) to write out my deepest feelings about this year. I'll save that for another day when I don't cry every 5 seconds and wonder if leaving is really the right thing to do. For now, I will just say a genuine thank You to my Creator for setting me apart for this unique and beautifully designed year. There were many struggles and challenges but still more joys. There were dog bites and rabies treatments, but still more meetings with friends. There were crowded rutieras and trolleybuses, but still more days in the park. There were drunk men and dark places, but still more smiles. There were falls on ice in the road, but still more hot tea and hot chocolate shared with family. There were countless hours of frustration and feeling lost about Romanian, but the patience and translating from friends still outnumbered them. There were thousands of tears shed, but millions of laughs had.

I have a family here and this year Moldova truly became like home to me. It literally makes my heart hurt to say goodbye to the people and the place that God has used time and time again to change my heart and to see Him clearer. For now, I'll just enjoy one last night's sleep in my bed and say goodnight one last time to the fish who have become like my kids!