longing for home
So here I am, two months into teacher's college. It's been a long time coming. I'm having a good time. I enjoy teaching (phew!), I enjoy interacting with my students, and I find geography just as interesting on the other side of the country.
Yet I long for home.
I like being out east. I'm not one of those snobby westerners, and I'm not about to write off Toronto just because it's a big city. Nor will I dismiss Kingston because it's a small town. In fact, I'm enjoying the juxtaposition on big and small in my life.
Yet I long for home.
The people in my program are wonderful. So far, everyone has been kind, patient, and helpful. Through the grace of God, I have found solid friends, I have a fantastic supervisor/associate, the Catholic student movement at Queens is strong, and I have a place to live in both cities.
Yet I long for home.
I came into this "year" away after spending two months away from home. I loved those two months away, and I have been incredibly blessed with new friendships and lifelong memories as a result of my adventures this summer. I thought that I could breeze through this year and jet off to Europe without a second though. I thought I had proven myself detached and independent.
Yet I long for home.
It turns out that I'm a North Van girl at heart. I like home. I love family. Something in my soul longs for community. Even here in Toronto, I find myself longing for the Catholic community in Kingston (that I've only known for one month). I still feel the travelers itch. A year or two working in Austria would be amazing, and I know that it would be worth the heartache of being away. But, I am concerned about timing. I don't know if next year is the the right time to go away. Maybe I need a good dose of home life before I'm ready to spend more time away. Four months at home this summer might be enough. It might not be enough. I guess I will find out. And perhaps I'll find some employment for next year (at home or abroad) along the way.
This type of constant longing reminds me of the longing for heaven that we are supposed to have. I enjoy where I am, yet I know somewhere inside of me that I am not made for this place. I can appreciate its beauty, but I am made for somewhere else. Somewhere better. ;)
Yet I long for home.
I like being out east. I'm not one of those snobby westerners, and I'm not about to write off Toronto just because it's a big city. Nor will I dismiss Kingston because it's a small town. In fact, I'm enjoying the juxtaposition on big and small in my life.
Yet I long for home.
The people in my program are wonderful. So far, everyone has been kind, patient, and helpful. Through the grace of God, I have found solid friends, I have a fantastic supervisor/associate, the Catholic student movement at Queens is strong, and I have a place to live in both cities.
Yet I long for home.
I came into this "year" away after spending two months away from home. I loved those two months away, and I have been incredibly blessed with new friendships and lifelong memories as a result of my adventures this summer. I thought that I could breeze through this year and jet off to Europe without a second though. I thought I had proven myself detached and independent.
Yet I long for home.
It turns out that I'm a North Van girl at heart. I like home. I love family. Something in my soul longs for community. Even here in Toronto, I find myself longing for the Catholic community in Kingston (that I've only known for one month). I still feel the travelers itch. A year or two working in Austria would be amazing, and I know that it would be worth the heartache of being away. But, I am concerned about timing. I don't know if next year is the the right time to go away. Maybe I need a good dose of home life before I'm ready to spend more time away. Four months at home this summer might be enough. It might not be enough. I guess I will find out. And perhaps I'll find some employment for next year (at home or abroad) along the way.
This type of constant longing reminds me of the longing for heaven that we are supposed to have. I enjoy where I am, yet I know somewhere inside of me that I am not made for this place. I can appreciate its beauty, but I am made for somewhere else. Somewhere better. ;)