Debriefing

Wow… what a week. Wednesday morning I left for debriefing at the MLC (missionary learning center). I know I’ve been home almost 3 months already, but it’s still amazingly refreshing to be around so many like-minded people. We have all been in the same place… maybe not literally, but emotionally and spiritually we have. It was so nice to be around people who didn’t just ask, “so how was Africa?” or “so are ya’ glad to be home!?” You have no idea how old those questions get… and how FAST they get old. I also realized that all the things I’m feeling are totally normal. Almost all of us have a hard time readjusting to life in America. We’ve all changed, and we all understand each other! (You have no idea how nice it is to really be understood!) I spent 5 days with over 60 people… all who have a heart for the nations… all who know what it means to have a calling on your life… many of whom don’t yet know what that means for them (like me!!). It was nice to not be pressured to have an answer for “so, what do you want to do with your life now?”… (Few of us really knew the answer to that.) I’m not all that excited to get back into “real life” again tomorrow morning, but it must come. Being a missionary means being with other people, not just missionaries! I wish I could really type out how awesome the past 5 days were, but unless you’ve been in my shoes, I can’t expect you to understand. Just know that God is awesome to have placed me into the care of such an amazing mission board who cares enough about us to gather us all back together to let us “debrief.” Sweet sweet times all around. :)

belated update

Wow, I really should have updated before now! I am so busy this month though. I will be so happy when February gets here!! It’s a good busy though I suppose. This coming weekend I will be gone from Friday though Monday serving as an adult table leader for “Chrysalis,” a teen girl Christian retreat type weekend. It’s really hard to explain. Anyway, be praying for that! Youth aren’t as much my thing as little kids are, but I know that God has big plans for the girls who are coming and I pray that He will use me to be a part of His plan. Later in the month (the 25th through the 28th) I’ll be heading up to Richmond, Virginia for my missionary debriefing. I’m really looking forward to spending some quality time with old friends who know and understand all that I’m going through and trying to process right now. They’ll be the ones who know that I’m not crazy because they’ll hopefully be feeling the same things! Can’t wait. :)

Other than being busy, life is going well. I’m still really enjoying being a teacher and I’m learning more everyday about how to be a better teacher. These poor kids are my guinea pigs – I try something out on them to see if it works or not! Guess you never know unless you try. :) I’m still really missing South Africa. Got to talk to Casey again this past weekend and every time I talk to her I want more and more to get back there this summer. The plane ticket alone is almost $2000 now! I don’t know how I’m going to pay for that on a preschool teacher’s salary, but if it’s God’s desire for me to go, then He will make a way. Oh how I hope it’s His desire!!! :)

Well, I seriously need some beauty sleep now. G’night!

Bonnie B.