Nearly Home

Well, the September DTS has finally come to a close. All the trainees have either gone home or are traveling, the staff are taking advantage of a bit of down time, and I have moved into a new flat as of last Saturday. It all takes a bit of getting used to, but does it ever feel good to be wrapping things up!
It has been an incredible past year here, and I have not only seen the people around me grow immeasurably, but I myself do not feel like the same person I was at the beginning of 2012. While still in Thailand, I took some time to  write down all that 2012 had consisted of and what I hoped 2013 would include. Though the future is still uncertain at the moment, here's a bit of what has happened and what I hope will continue:

- new haircut, including straight-across fringe
- new piercing (upper ear)
- learned to bake, enjoy baking, and have an array of aprons now
- poetry-reading, wine-tasting, sing-song evening in Weymouth with Jeff and Jill
- No Makeup Month (best month ever!)
- spoke in tongues (and have continued since) for the first time
- learned that I love to paint and I would hesitantly call myself an "artist"
- I make mean rum balls!
- learned the beauty and importance of repentance
- filled with the Holy Spirit on multiple occasions (resulted in hysterical laughter and weeping...experienced a closeness to God I'd never felt before)
- gave many pep-talks, some including an impromptu prayer session
- learned to play guitar and the ukelele
- learned to Texas Two-Step, salsa, and swing dance
- made poutine for Cultural Night (Canada for the win)
- led a few people to the Lord (YES!!!!!!)
- painted a picture for a complete stranger and then prayed with her in a coffee shop
- saw provision in ways I didn't think possible

All I can say is that God is so good. It has been an amazing time here and I look forward to going home (can't say how long for) and sharing what's been happening with me to others! Homeward Bound in nine days, y'all!