Last Day

Today was our last day of lectures in DTS. In just a few hours we have our graduation and then we're done! It's hard to believe how quickly this time has gone by. Six months seemed like forever when we started in September. And yes, it was forever! But it was also so full of so many things that it really flew by. One day in DTS can seem as long as a year, but a month, or even 6, can go by as fast as a minute.

We had a time of reflection as a group today on our whole experience, both lecture phase and outreach. It was so refreshing as we sat in a circle and shared all the funny stories we had with one another. After being together every day for 3 months, it's hard to catch up with each other after another 3 months completely apart. But today was good. Then our school leader had us sit and reflect on the future a little bit.

Looking back on DTS, I'm so glad that I came. My life is different than 6 months ago. God knew what he was doing when he sent me to Kiev. But looking ahead I can see that reality is going to hit me hard and it's going to hurt. Life and situations at home have not changed. Not at all. I've been insulated and very focused (especially during outreach) and have been in an emotional bubble in a way. The bubble's going to pop in a week. But you know what? God brought me here, he's called me home, and he's going to take care of me. I have changed, and I feel called to live that out among the wonderful people in my hometown. I'm so grateful for the support of my friends and 'family'. They won't let me fall.

It doesn't feel real that this season of my life is over. I think I'll step off the plane in America and still expect to see Tbilisi or Kiev. And although I know that God has paved the way for me to come home, I'm almost positive that I'll see this part of the world again someday. So it's not really saying goodbye, right?