Kindred Spirits and the Purpose of MY Life

I've spent the last three days in Oradea, my original gateway to this incredible place I've called home for the last 8 months.

I've never been happier. Never. The kind of happy that emboldens me to feel like I can do anything, face challenges yet unconquered, and be truly content.

To begin, I'm staying in the Noble House at Caminul Felix Village Two, where they host most of the missionary groups and visitors who come to work. There are currently 9 other people staying here. Lars, Julius, Willard, Jake, Larry, David, John, Gary, and Steve have become my neighbors, my entertainment, and my friends. The youngest man is 52 years old and the oldest is 83, and wow do they have stories. I don't think I could ever tire of spending time with these wonderful gentlemen. I spent the afternoon playing tour guide and translator for these men in downtown Oradea... one of the most shining times in recent memories.

Now for the purpose of my life. I'm feeling pretty lucky to be 22 years old and have fully and totally discovered that I'm supposed to hang around kids. How can you deny that this kind of joy isn't related to some larger/bigger/higher calling?

Bad Bad World- Guster

This seems like an appropriate blog. I have had this song stuck in my head for a good amount of time, and it is currently the middle of the night :)

Enjoy!

I'm wide awake
It's the middle of the night
I'm standing in the dark
Waiting up for the light

And here I'll remain
Till the sun is in the sky
Standing in the dark
Waiting up for the light.

There is love,
There is peace in this world
So take it back,
Say it's not what you thought
Grab a hold
Take these melodies
With your hands
Write a song to sing

Isn't such a bad, bad world
And I say

These times are strange
I can feel it in the night
I'm standing in the dark
Holding up for the light

And here I'll remain
Till the great sun shines
Standing in the dark
Waiting up for the light

Connection

Like a flower craves sunlight and even bends itself toward it, I crave human connection. I live for the people around me- the everyday interactions, the shared moments, the passing of wisdom, and the lightening of burdens. And in the past few days, I have been blessed on a level beyond the physical, the mental, or the emotional. My soul has been touched in a way I can not even put into words.

I assumed that moving here would result in some kind of restrictions on the amount of connection I felt to others. I was looking forward to learning about myself and discovering more about my teaching practice, sure. But I was dreading the lack of contact I would have with people.

Life has a funny way of working out sometimes. People walk into your life when you aren't even looking, and your entire being fills with the joy of knowing someone, and feeling cherished, and sleeping once more in the night.