home for the holidays?

as the holiday season approaches, this has been a recurring thought and question in my mind. i've never been so far from home for such an extended time. in two days i will have officially been here 3 months-WOAH! that's such a long time. it's the longest i've gone without seeing my family, the longest i've spent living overseas, the longest i've been so far from all that is familiar... 

and yet, i guess after 3 months, it makes sense that this place now feels a lot like home. it's different in just about every way, but this is my new normal. this is the portion the Lord has given me for this season, and in that i take JOY! coming into this year i imagined a pretty constant burden of homesickness--boy has God's grace been abundant as i've only been homesick one day of the past three months. i have honestly come to LOVE LIFE in this place! i love what my days look like, and i wake up each day so assured and content of my purpose. talking with a sweet friend this week i was reminded of what a blessing this is-such contentment is a rare thing in our "grass is always greener" culture. sure there are times i miss being in auburn for football games (side note: WAR EAGLE-my heart might've stopped on that final TD throw), weddings weekends, classrooms full of children, and holiday breaks at home, but all in all i could not be more content with where the Lord has me.

thus it is with this mindset of contentedness that i seek to enter this holiday season. my wise mother told me it will be a choice whether i accept and indulge in the portion the Lord has given me or whether i choose to dwell in what i'm "missing". my prayer is that i will continue to CHOOSE JOY! even though i won't be turkey trotting on thanksgiving or driving through audubon park looking at lights on christmas eve, i am blessed to have a new kind of family in this place, and i will get to make some new holiday memories (and maybe even traditions) with them! 

even though i'm 7,000 miles from what i've always known as "home", i'm excited for the holidays in this new home of mine. i'm excited to try to make green bean casserole using all asian ingredients; i'm excited to watch our boys scrimmage in a 'turkey bowl'; i'm excited to share about these holidays with all my asian friends and get to welcome them into our home for a taste of "america". i read a blog this week that said "thanksgiving always translates to thanks-LIVING". so for now, i'm seeking to live in that thankfulness and let transcendent joy direct my steps!

halloween asian style: despite what our faces may reveal...

we actually really LOVE getting to celebrate together here!