Reality....

Being a disciple of the Lord is awfully difficult. Even though this place is beautiful and has so much for us, we still miss home. We miss all of the wonderful friends and family that we are so very far from. We miss our beloved Idaho and the West. There is something about a Westerner that is unique in the world. I miss fishing, camping, BBQs, and beef. Yep, beef. There is very little beef here.

I miss the ease of close friendships. I miss the freedom a car gives.

I miss the smell of woodsmoke on a cool Fall camping trip. I miss the sound of a Western trout stream running by my tent.

I guess I miss...heaven. We all have a longing for home that is deeper than any place or time. We typically keep it buried very deep. It is times like tonight that I most acutely feel the longing for my true Home where there are no goodbyes, no tears, no separation. I can't wait to be united to the Lord and the rest of my loved ones in perfect unity forever and ever and ever and ever.......

I am missing home and Home tonight. I am wise enough to know that if I were in Idaho I probably would be too busy to call, or camp, or stop and listen. This longing for this idealized Home where all is peace, security, love, and warmth is lying heavy on my heart tonight. As is the desire to be in a place quite close to that in my estimation - our home in Idaho.

I thought that we might just be in Europe for an extended amount of time beyond school. If we are, I sure hope we get to come back to the US for a long stay. I need to put my feet back in American soil, especially the West.

So my prayer tonight is one for perseverance and courage. I ask the Lord to never let me forget and to someday return...