Taste of Home

The biggest lesson I have had to swallow since coming to Uganda is simple: Life moves on. As a missionary, I ventured off into the great unknown. I left behind friends, family, and plenty of memories.... and good coffee from great people (Dutch Bros shout out!). I stepped forward to chase after what God called me to for 2014, and embraced life in Uganda. And for everything I left behind, I wanted to be just that, left behind. Never changing. Almost as if my American life was put on pause while I was in Africa. But life goes on. The loved ones in my life continued down their own path, and follow what God calls them to. My friends continued to be crazy. They continued to drive around Boise with the music blaring. They continued to make Dutch Bros trips -- just maybe not twice a day to my favorite one across town. As I changed, so did they. Life goes on.
Yet, there are rare and beautiful moments when two worlds collide. I was able to have a taste of home for two weeks as my mom got a taste of Uganda.

I loved being able to show my mom this new world of mine... even if she was afraid of traffic and geckos! I was able to share everything from food to friends with her. She has been listening to stories of people for nine months, and now she has a face and a memory of her own... and what Ugandan experience does not include chicken on a stick (or more commonly known... in my world... as sticken)???

But what I loved the most was that for two weeks, my two worlds had met. My two worlds may go on with or without me, but they came together for a few short days. It was enough to let me know that even if life goes on, I will always have the love and memories. People may continue life as normal, that doesn't mean I am left behind. I was reminded to cherish the time I have with the people in my life at the moment. God calls me to some crazy places, and it usually happens in the blink of an eye! I need to live in the moment, and cherish the memories I have.

 Loved ones may be separated for a time. Memories are made without the other. New relationships form without insights from the one missing. But that doesn't mean that something good has come to a horrible end. Rather, life has simply changed. We cannot stop this natural flow, and if we try, we miss the goodness God gives us in the changes He planned. Instead, we should cherish the memories we have, and soak up the moments we have in front of us. Do not let bitterness or a saddened heart cloud over memories in the making.

So, life goes on. I have beautiful memories and a heart to store them all. I will continue making them, and expect the loved ones in my life to do the same. I look forward to the day I will see them again, and we can share our memories, and take a moment to make some more before the chance is gone again.