So, a week.... Well it has been a peaceful one with lotsa rest and getting my body to catch up with my brain. Monday was the last day of going to the airport and seeing all my "kids" again. They are all still out traveling NZ. I feel so blessed on this Thanksgiving Day for all the people I have around me, all the people I know and my family back home. After seeing off some of my really good/best friends that I've had over the past 6 months, it was really hard to adjust to "normal" life again. I don't even know what normal is anymore. The most normal I know is change... I'm thankful that all the staff here are longtime friends that I've had for a while, it's nice because after all my snowboarder friends left I still have a family to come into, where they know me and I don't really have to get to know them again! One thing that I miss about the snowboarder students is, they just love to love. Meaning they don't care who you are, where you come from or what you can bring, they will love you anyway, shape or form! I miss that, other schools are more cautious in how they get to know you. It's weird without them here. I learned so much about myself over these last 6 months, things that God really highlighted! It helps when you're working on a more one on one basis with the students. I love that they are not afraid to point things out! I still don't know what's next, but that's what I have peace about. At this point I just know that I'm going to the north island to Tauranga to spend Christmas with a family up there. The base is shut down a month during Christmas break. Tauranga reminds me a lot of Grand Marais the artsy town. I love how God gives you pieces of home when you're so far away.
We celebrated Thanksgiving last night. I haven't been home for Thanksgiving in 2 years. This one was so great, we all brought something to pass, I made Grandma's stuffing, veggies and helped with the pie. There was about 20 of us staff that gathered, it really felt like family! I love how comfortable we all are with each other. We went around and said what we are thankful for. Then all of us Americans stood and sang the national anthem. It was glorious to see how amazing God is and how he just surrounds you with people that are really like family! I for sure miss home around the holidays, it's really funny how all of the Americans have these "traditions" that no one else gets. Like watching the Macy's parade, having leftover turkey for the next week, pumpkin pie... I love how we just all understand each other and we don't have to explain, it's like it's in our DNA of how to do holidays. I mean it's the same everywhere, I wonder who started the foundation to traditions. Sure we all have our quirky family traditions but the foundations are usually the same, even in Canada they are. Oh well it was a great night and it felt good to be "home".
I'm going to castle hill tomorrow, taking some of the students to climb and do cave stream. I love the boulders at castle hill, they are fun although it is easy to get lost (that won't happen). Summer is afoot in New Zealand! I'm stoked for the beach, volleyball and hiking! Anyways, Many blessings to you all on this wonderful holiday!
PS good luck on Black Friday!
"There's a reason God gave us two ears but only one mouth. Listening is twice as important as talking. But He gave us ten fingers, so He must really want us to poke things."
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