Sorta Down To be honest, I think I'm a little on the Southern end of life today. Not that today was bad, in fact I got to color with some of my 7th graders, and Madoka gave me the most tender "hand embracing" goodbye today...but...it's getting colder. Which means a few things. First, my neck. I know God has taught me so many lessons about patience and grace and faith and many other things, but sometimes the pain just stinks. My body doesn't like cold period, and the added bonus of little-to-no-indoor heat usually leaves me with a fever by the end of the day. Second, the smell and feel of the air is making me miss Ohio (and, surprisingly, South Africa...) like mad. I keep having cravings for hot apple cider and hayrides and lengthy games of "capture the flag," and (yes, believe it or not), even raking leaves. I think I miss my family. I don't know if you're supposed to do that the second year away from home. I thought you got it all out of your system the first. I guess not. (With a weak, I'll-get-through-this smile)...But...on the up-side, I think the best thing the cold reminds me of is (drum roll please)....last year in this same exact place. It was rough. But, as I recall the difficulties I had, I can see with pretty good clarity that God has been very faithful to me. He has brought amazing (albeit a bit unconventional) relationships, the simple but wonderful knowledge of everyday-life things (such as how to use the washer, and the difference between salt and sugar in the supermarket), a bond with my team that approaches "blood relative" level, and, I'm sure, wisdom from my experience here that I may not even discover until many years down the road. And so, as another week winds down, I vow to "gambarimasu" it through the falling temperatures and cling to God's promise that his faithfulness will continue...through the winter...and beyond.