it's a roller coaster ride!

Tomorrow is my last day in Peru. We are heading to the airport at 6 PM and we take off before dawn's early light on Saturday morning, to arrive in good old Grand Rapids at 11:00 AM. We have been enjoying our time in Lima thus far. Once I get back to the States, I am going to post some blogs about what we have done here and about the last few days in Arequipa, so... STAY TUNED!!! 

It's crazy to realize that we're actually leaving tomorrow. This country feels like home now, and it is so difficult to leave! I've been feeling a lot like David for the past few days. You know, he was a pretty emotional fellow. My emotions have been going something like this:

Minute 1: OH MAN!! This has been AMAZING!!! THANK YOU GOD!!! I am SO GLAD that this happened! Thank You for these friendships and these great people and the Calvin people who are so awesome!!! AHHHH!!! I cannot contain myself!!! THANK YOU!!!!!!!!! 

Minute 2: Waaaaaaaaa!!! I don't want to leave, God!! This place feels like home and I have family here!! I can't bear this!!! This hurts so much and I don't like it!! WHY???? Am I ever coming back? Will I ever see them again? When I'm in the States, things are going to be different! And that's not cool! Why are You doing this?? 

Minute 3: But... I'm SO GLAD that it hurts SO MUCH because that means that it has been SO BEAUTIFUL!!! AND OH MAN YES IT HAS BEEN GREAT!!! I CAN'T GET OVER THIS!!! AHHH! THANK YOU, GOD!!! Thank You that I have met such cool people and have such great friends in Peru!! I don't know how You did that!! God, You're so cool!!

Minute 4: Waaaaaaaaaa!!!! THIS IS SO DUMB. When is the next time that I will walk down the streets of Yanahuara? When will I go play cards at Pura Fruta with really cool people? Will I ever see Misti again? Will I ever ride a combi again? Will I ever drink chicha morada again???

I have decided to fully embrace both extremes. Sometimes, it is great to rejoice that this semester was so very amazing. Other times, it is okay to admit the pain that it causes to leave, to cry a little bit, and to voice my questions to the King of Kings, all the while trusting that His plan is infinitely better than mine and that the friendships that have sprouted in Arequipa are thankfully in His hands and not my own.