Wow! Time sure flies when you're having fun! And when you're surrounded by 70+ amazing children on a daily basis. And when all of your mothers are constantly making sure you're taken care of. And when you're watching Chuck into the wee hours of the morning with your best friend and his wife. And when you're abseiling down a 670 foot waterfall. And when you're holding a lion cub. And when you're sitting in the mall listening to a lecture for your online class. And when you're on your knees in prayer at the end of your rope. Time sure flies when you're living life.
I can't believe how fast this last year went. I can still vividly remember getting off the plane in Lesotho last September. I can still remember the details of my first day on campus at Beautiful Gate. Now it seems as if I've blinked and my yearlong commitment is done and over. Now I've already been back in the States for a week and it's time to reflect on that just a little bit.
I think it's important that I begin by saying that my last week being home (well at least home on this side of the ocean) has been really good. No one was expecting me back until next week, so it's been so fun to surprise my family and friends. It's such a blessing to be reminded of how many people love me and how many people have been supporting me throughout my year at Beautiful Gate. I was worried I'd find life back in the States to be really overwhelming, but so far it hasn't been too bad (okay, there was the anxiety inducing experience of going into the Apple store, but let's be real, that place is overwhelming all the time). For the most part, though, readjusting hasn't been too difficult.
The one major readjustment I've definitely noticed, however, is trying to keep up with the pace of life here in the States. In Lesotho life is slow. There's really no other way of putting it. Sometimes that can be frustrating from an efficiency point of view, especially being American. In general, though, I loved being able to dial it back and experience life at a more leisurely pace. When I wasn't going at full speed all the time trying to accomplish the maximum amount I could in a day I began to notice and appreciate the little things God does for me on a daily basis. When I wasn't always thinking ten steps ahead I was able to fully enjoy each present moment. It was as if I'd gotten off the highway and was driving through a residential area. Now that I'm back in Michigan, though, it feels like I've gotten back on the highway. I've hardly sat still since I returned. There's always people to see or something that could get done. I've got meetings and presentations and deadlines that need to be met. So, though I wouldn't say I've been feeling overwhelmed, I would definitely say I feel exhausted.
Overall, being back is good. I missed my family. I missed my friends. I missed the variety and options living here offers. I missed free refills of water at restaurants. It truly is good to be home. But at the same time I miss home too. I miss my kids. I miss my mothers. I miss my Africa family. I miss the peace and calm and worry-free environment. And that's the biggest readjustment, really; knowing I'm not fully readjusting to life in the States. The real challenge now is learning how to live when my heart is in two places. The next four months will be challenging and beautiful and exciting and difficult. I have to figure out how the Basotho Tyler fits in the context of American life and when I go back to Lesotho I'll have to rediscover how American Tyler fits in the context of Basotho life. As I reflect on this last year and look forward to new adventures I think to myself that this definitely isn't the life I would've chosen for myself. It's tough and scary and unknown. But it's the life God has called me to so I know it will also be exhilarating and rewarding and fulfilling. And when I remember that the hard parts don't seem so hard after all. When I remember who brought me to this place and who called me to this life I know I wouldn't change a thing.
