Almost Autumn...

Autumn is by far the most precious and most favorite part of the year for me. I have always enjoyed Autumn, with the tree's turning colors, the crispness in the air, the holiday sensations beginning, and family gatherings, hitting up the orchards and festivals, my favorite combo of clothing:Jeans and a hooded sweatshirt,etc. And it hit me this morning when i looked out our bedroom window, that as you back home are beginning to see those things, i am not. For the first time in my life, i will miss autumn.

As we sat in church today i had a very hard time listening to the sermon. As i stared out at the ocean i was thinking, I have always dreamed about having a year round summer vacation, and now i have it, but yet i am still not satisfied. I guess we are never completely satisfied. And i know that those are the times that God wants us to focus on him the most. And trust in him and know that he has a purpose for what we are doing, and he is the only thing that can completely satisfy us.

As i sat there in church i also began to think of all the others things i am missing. Family, just driving an hour and a half to see them whenever we wanted. Watching the nieces and nephews grow up. Friends, my close friends who i could call at the drop of a dime or just drop by. Fresh vegetables, you can get them here, its just a matter of how fresh they actually are. I miss the farm. Waking up in the morning, sipping bettys coffee she had made like four hours earlier, because i didnt wake up until 10 am, i miss having a home that feels like a home... I miss alot of things...

And yes, i am sure you have noticed by what i have said thus far, that Brittany is very homesick. It definatly comes and goes, and i hate to admit it. But i know that God has placed Mark and I here, on this beautiful island, with amazing people, amazing school, amazing life for an amazing reason. And as for the things i miss, i know there are things i can do about it, i just need to do it. For example, missing family- call them more! Think about the exciting time you will have in 3 months with marks parents arrive is Saipan, and the time when my parents arrive here in 5.5 months. Friends, not only call them more, but take more time to grow in the relationships i have begun here. Because i know those friendships will blossom and grow the more i put into them. Coffee and the early morning crispness in the air. I dont know how crisp the air will ever really get here... but get up earlier, make that pot of coffee and go sit out on the beach and sit back and relax... Jeans and hoodies, put the AC on high all windows closed, put on a movie and snuggle up =)Autumn, do fun projects to decorate the house with, and make my own island style holiday traditions...

I knew that when we left the continental US that i would feel this way eventually and that was what made this the hardest decision for me. I also know it was hard to say goodbye to friends and family who didnt want us to go. And the fact that we would be missing out on so many wonderful and important times in the lives of our friends and families.. weddings, births, etc. But please know, that you are truely and whole heartedly missed.

There are so many things i could do to make this experience more positive. I guess today is just one of my low days... But this is a lesson i am learning at the time being, and know i will continue to learn it for the remainder of my life... To stop, look at what i have, and to know that i am completely and underly blessed, and to know that the only thing that will ever truely satisfy me is Christ, my king.

With that... I want you to know though, that Mark and I are truely enjoying this experience, and that God has definatly been growing in both mark and I but in our relationship. We have seen some amazing sites and enjoyed many adventures... and the awesome thing, is that it isnt over yet. We have roughly 8 months until we come home for the summer and then a whole other year to enjoy and grow. I cant complain to much, once we are blessed with a family of our own, we will be able to have experiences like this, but it wont be as easy... and just the two of us.

Please pray for me in my time of home sickness.... please pray for me and the positive decisions to make in order for this to be the best experience possible... And please pray for Mark as he has been my rock the last couple of days, until i get off this high horse. =).

Other then that, all is well here. Health is good, friends are good, school is good, the island is good and God is wonderful.

Love,
B.