it's about that time

I'm feeling it...the itch to get out there and travel. It has officially been three weeks and two days since I made the journey to the gateway to the west. Not too long I realize, but I've been thinking. I love the country. I just need a day, maybe two, or three to get away. maybe it's not even the country, just to get to a spot where I can relax, like really relax without having this or that in the back of my mind.
HA! Good luck i think, technically we are in the end stages of a semester with Christmas break less than five weeks away. The end of this lap is near. I am ready to get back to the familiar. Realize now, that once this gets familiar I will be leaving...just last weekend I hit the "ahhh, I like it here." The people are transitioning from acquaintence to friend, the roads are not requiring maximal brain power to navigate (unless I'm going for a new place to visit).
God has been good. If I'm here for no other reason than so that He can teach me more about His goodness and faithfulness, then His goal is accomplished.
It's midterm week, the week of my first evaluation of myself by my CI and, well, myself.
In honor of this let's make a list, shall we, of all the things I'm learning...not related to PT necessarily, though unavoidably some might venture there.

The List
1. I like knowing and being known by others.
2. Relaxation is a relative term for each stage of life. This stage it is characterized by reading what I want to read, taking a bath on a cold day after a long run, and running/exploring with furry friends.
3. I am a runner at heart.
4. People over the age of 70 have lots of stories to tell.
5. God's family spans the globe and people are most beautiful when they let His light shine forth and bless others just by being open to others.
6. God placed my new friend, Mustang, in my life to teach me how I can be an awesome women of God even if I'm still single 10 years from now.
7. God opened my eyes to how He answered a prayer I prayed years ago. He said yes, I said, woah, why did I pray it like that:)
8. I love coloring with crayons.
9. You gotta teach the dog just who the "big dog" is.
10. Christian radio is not available everywhere.
11. Lists shouldn't be too long, then you just get overwhelmed:)

it's about that time
time to move on...to simplify. to take stock of what is really important in life. Does it matter what I have to wear, where I hang out at or who hangs out with me. If i get to talk to that person or know what's going on all the time. It's time to get rid of computers and telecommunications for awhile and escape into simplicity. Mind you, I greatly appreciate the opportunity I've had to stay in contact with those most dear to me. I would not have survived so well the first couple weeks without the gift of cell phone and email. But this too shall pass and I am considering when i can take a week, oh yes, whole week to turn off the phone, unplug the computer, grab a journal, Bible, hang out, relax, like we did back in the old days, trust someone will be there where and when they said, ask directions in person, etc. Don't worry folks this will not happen for at least another five weeks or so...hmmm...but I'm thinking now how this could unfold:)

I leave you, dear reader, with the prayer that God bless you and keep you, that He make His grace and peace wash over you in a flood and that you will let yourself be loved, truly loved by Him.