Anniversaries

Is it worth celebrating an anniversary of something that ended? Something hard and good? What is the point of anniversaries? and what do I want them to mean for me?

Almost to the day, it's been two years since I returned to America from Guinea-Bissau. I left in a flurry, without connecting my heart and saying goodbye. and I was able to return for a two week stint, last year, that helped me say goodbye and close the door on that season of my life.

Celebrating the good: I learned a new language. I taught children about what it means to have a deeper relationship with Christ. I held a young girl who mourned over her dead father. I tickled children's bellies, probably everyday. I learned from my peers about having relationships that cross cultural lines.

Lessons learned: I flirt with boys without even knowing it. This earned me the title "Hottie of Bissau." I feed off of verbal encouragement and quality time. I love the world and want to continue serving outside the US. I want to work with a team. I am good at loving people. I take everything personally. God sometimes allows fires in our lives to burn away things we don't really need. This does not necessarily make the fire any less painful.

All this to say.....what?
I guess, I just needed to remember the occasion.