More Like Myself Again

[Above: Thought I'd share a picture from the summer of my roommate Jess (fellow missionary), myself, our two interns, and some friends.]

I'm finding myself outside of my "normal routine" now that I am visiting back in Des Moines for two weeks. I arrived Tuesday night after two long days of travel. I'm sure I will very much enjoy my stay here, visiting with friends, giving updates on Monterrey and TIME Ministries, and seeing my parents for the weekend.

I also now am actually remembering to update my blog. I had thought about it a couple days before I left Monterrey, but didn't yet get around to it. So now, here it is! :)

About a week ago, or maybe it was more, I found myself singing in the shower at the top of my lungs, spurred on by hearing Jess, my roommate, practicing her clarinet, playing some hymns. Hymns are some of my favourite songs. I grew up on them, so they mean that much more to me. I realized as I was singing that it had been probably the first time I really let go and started singing like none other since arriving in Monterrey. Now, that doesn't mean I hadn't sung at all, just not to the extent I was doing right then and there. I used to sing a LOT around the house in Des Moines (as long as Amy wasn't there to get annoyed by me). So to realize that I was singing again like before was a real encouragement to me. It felt like I was starting to return to my "normal" self.

I don't know if you've ever moved before, not even to an entirely different country with a different language, but when you do make a move, it takes a while before you feel like yourself again. So it was really good to feel like I was starting to feel a little bit more like myself in as far as noticing myself singing again like before. God is good!

Psalm 63:3-5
"Because your love is better than life,
my lips will glorify you.
I will praise you as long as I live,
and in your name I will lift up my hands.
I will be fully satisfied as with the richest of foods;
with singing lips my mouth will praise you."