Bittersweet, Wonderful!
Things have been hectic! In 7 days I’m going to be leaving here, a place that I have lived for 6 months, and going back home Knowing that things will be different from how I left them, but not completely sure in what way. I guess you could say that I’ve found a bit of comfort here although I’m happy to be coming home!
No matter how I, or Daniel, look at it, we’ve come to the conclusion that this is a bittersweet kind of transition. There are things that I won’t miss; like being asked in 20 different ways and time what I’m doing or where I’m going, trying to break down my thoughts into smaller words, and some other stuff; but there are other things that I will definitely miss, like having the kids live next door. It’s weird to think that I will have to start converting time zones to find the best time to call, writing letters about the new things in my life, or even having to wait to send a present till a group comes out here or till I get back again!
Think about those times when you stand in the front lawn and wave your departing family members good-bye as they close their visit. I really don’t like those moments. I stand their and wave good-bye and the thing that gets me the most isn’t that they are leaving, but that they are on a new journey. You see once their car goes over the top of the hill that’s the end of the story from my side. I turn back to the house, walk into the front door, and go back to the mundane custom of clean-up. However those family members are going to a new place from the one they had just left. I left my house and turn back into that same house. They pack up and drive away from the house they just left and journey back to their home. Sure going to your house might not sound exciting, but it’s the in between part… they get to journey and I get to stay stagnant – yippy!
I’m excited for my 17 hour plane ride and over a day long total journey! Call me crazy but I’m excited! I’m going back home changed and with new possibilities on my brain! However for all the kids at the house, I feel like they are the one standing in the front lawn. That really makes it bittersweet and makes me feel kind of bad that I can’t take them with me and introduce them to all these awesome opportunities! Man it’s tough… uhh!!!
brooke.
Woah Brooky the front yard thing is a little confusing for my small German brain.
However, it probabaly happens to be true that you come home changed. It’s the way you chose to deal with this change that will either make it harder or easy for you. But God on your side will give you support. I think you’ll get closer to him. Definitely!
Well for your lovely children in SA it’ll be not easier than for you that’s true. We should pray for them. That they find another loving and caring person they can come to. I know God will provide! They learn a lot out of this change too
Hopefully you’ll be able to enjoy the last days. I can’t wait for you to meet your family and friends again. That’s so exciting! Be prepared to answer many questions
))
I love you and wish you the best for the next weeks! When you get back to the states we can talk on the phone sometime during Christmas break if you want!
ISA
Posted 2 years, 11 months agoI am most definitely excited that you are coming home. It’s pretty surreal, huh? I can’t believe how this last six months has flown, but there have been so many things that I have wanted you here for. I can’t wait to see you. I can’t wait to just listen for house about how your life has changed and how you have changed lives. I Love You!
Posted 2 years, 11 months agoMy Brooke:
Gathering her things she reflects all she has learned. She turns in slow cirlcles in the room, asking herself to remember it all. where she laid her head, the smell of the blanket, the ants that made her dance and her roomates who have become more than just friends.
She peers out the window as the light hits her face and revisits all the moving pictures in her head…she smiles at memories of beautiful babes in that window wanting her to come out and play. With a heavy sigh she moves her things out of the small, but loved room and makes her way to the house.
There they are, they have touched her life in ways she never thougth possible. She feels the tears now and is frozen in time. She finds it hard to move, but yet finds she is running into the arms of so many ~ she loves them and they in return love her. Their tears fall together as they run fingers through each others hair and outline one anothers faces as they are blinded by tears of love and the grip of saying good-bye.
She and her family exchange words of love and grace. They sing, dance and praise God ~ They will continue to do so, for life is everlasting with Christ!
Her season in South Africa may be closing, but life has seveal seasons of change for us all. …….Grow, learn, turn slowly and embrace what God has done.
I love you my Brooke and look forward to you coming home and taking on a new season in your life. Mom
Posted 2 years, 11 months agoHi Brooke, I was afraid that you had returned home and I wasn’t able to blog one more time! My mom had a triple heart attack the day after Thanksgiving and I had to return to be with family & mom. The Doctors are baffled…they don’t understand why my mom is still alive…they say it’s a matter of time…but they also said she would not make through and she has! So only God knows when HE calls for her! So this is why I haven’t been corresponding via internet.
Well Brooke your journey in Africa has been a “Kingdom Adventure” your work and God’s word will not return void! You have traveled to a place where most will say, “I’ll do anything for you God just don’t send me to Africa!” Though you my lil sis in Christ went and did as God asked and for that HE will bless you. Thank you for sharing your life with us! Thank you for caring and representing the body of Christ in a loving and hands on experience with the people in Africa. Thank you for taking time from your young life for Kingdom purposes. Thank you for denying the flesh and living in the Spirit! Brooke may your heart and mind always be focused on Jesus! Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Welcome home!
Because of the CROSS, irene
Posted 2 years, 11 months ago