So I really do miss them :)

I'm sitting on my bed here in Wales spending way too much time on Facebook as I began to realize I really do miss my family. It's not that I didn't miss them prior to this. And if you currently sitting at your computer screen thinking, "Oh no! Here she goes again with her meladramatic whining of how she just wants to be home," then I promise this is not going to be a lament of me wishing to be home. Because to honest I am more than content where I am. However, I wish my my mom and my dad and my brother and grandparents and while I'm at aunts and uncles, too, could be here experiencing Wales with me. Especially my mom, dad, and brother.

When I look at my family I can see God's work. I can see how He's provided. I can see how He's blessed. I can also see how the enemy works against it. I can see how something God is making beautiful, the enemy is trying to destroy. But I won't let him and through I am weak, I know God is stronger and He gives me the strength to be the daughter, sister, granddaughter, niece, cousin, etc. who He desires me to be. One who loves unconditionally. One who forgives. One who gives thanks for her family. One who prays for her family. I look at my time in Wales and know I can't leave here the same. So I pray as I leave here I leave with the help of the Holy Spirit to one my family like Christ does.

My family isn't perfect. But I'm not either and I think I often place too high of expectations on them - ones no one can measure up to. Often those whom are closed to me and love me the most often have to deal with my worst as I seem to give my best to those whom I hardly know. However, I am learning while I am here that God provides the ability to give my best - His best actually - to everyone, including my family.

So this might be sappy, but I don't really care because I really do miss my mom, my dad, and my little brother (who really isn't all that little anymore). I miss their sillyness and random outburst into song (even though none of us can sing). I miss playing rummikub with them even though I'm convinced their only aim in the game is to make sure I don't win. I miss the things I don't always appreciate when I'm home, like Ian bursting into my room earlier in the morning with the dogs to wake me up. Or Dad's crazy impersonations of Shrek or an Englishman.

Again this isn't meant to be a "I'm ready to come home" blog - because I am in no way, shape, or form ready to come home. It's a blog meant to remind me and us all to cherish our families. Sometimes it's hard to do. But God really does love us even at our worst, which often our families see the most of, so through Him we can love our families.

So Mommy, Daddy, Ian, and the rest of the familia - I love you and I am thankful God has placed each of you in my life. Thanks for loving me, even when I am absolutely horrid. I truly am blessed by each of you :)

Much love through Him!