The end of a chapter

"When you're reading a book, and you come to the end of a chapter and move on to the next, you will inevitably recall the events of the previous chapter. You'll think about the places, the people, the events, that were significant in the grand scheme of the book. Only when you reach the end,will you realize how vital each and every word on each and every page was to the story."

I'm home...Finally. It's truly been a whirlwind experience, and right now, its hard to believe I lived away for 9 1/2 months. As soon as I landed on U.S. soil, I was overcome with a joy that I've never felt before. And as soon as I saw my dad, with his beard that he grew while I was away, my heart felt a fullness that I had not felt since saying goodbye. "It's good to be home," is the understatement of the century.

For the past five days, I've been getting reacquainted with my family and all the places that I've missed. I knew that things were bound to change, but I wasn't expecting this.
 My little brother has grown about six inches(or at least it seems). My house has been remodeled. My little sister is a senior in high school. As far as people, and personalities, they haven't so much changed, but matured. In Cambodia, we'd say, "Same Same But Different." Everyone is familiar, but its interesting to see how they've grown.

Chapters in my own life have ended, but also in the lives of the ones I left behind. While I was out, my brother moved in with his best friend, thirty minutes away. I know its not far, but to come back home, andto have him not be here, has definitely been an adjustment. He and I have grown closer over the years and even though we weren't able to talk much over the past months, absence really did make my heart grow fonder. With him being gone, I've been forced to move into a different role at home.

As I've gotten to see all my friends and relatives, the first question they ask is," Would you go back?"

Yes, I would. But honestly, I don't know if I'd go back for as long as I did. It was an amazing experience, but I don't feel that's where I'm headed in life. I'm open to the possibility, however, so I guess we'll just see what happens.

Its hard for me to really put into words,everything I've seen and experienced. Its hard to even say what I got out of it. How can you sum up a year of your life in a single blog post? I can't, so I won't even try. I think this trip wasn't all about what I did, but who I became. God has a weird way of preparing people for their futures, and I honestly think this was like "Tammy's trip for life preparation." I learned so much and hopefully grew the same. I made relationships and experienced things that most people never will. There were highs and lows. Tears and laughter.
There is something to be said for living away from home. Some would say it's an enlightening and enriching experience while others would say its essential for a well rounded world view. I wouldn't argue with either. I've come to realize just how big the world is. Its bigger than you and me. There are people and places that are being reached by those who are bold enough to step outside of their comfort zones in an effort to make the life of someone else a better place.

I  like to think that this journey started in my local Saint Vincent De Paul Thrift Store, on my seventeenth birthday, when my mom bought me a five piece, vintage luggage set. I wasn't quite sure where I was going, but I knew, regardless, that it'd be exciting. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I'd do what I have. Now its time for me to write the next chapter, and based on His track record, I'd guess that God has written some pretty crazy twists and cliffhangers in the plot. I'm just going to keep reading to see whats next.

<3tammy