Gratitude.

I have so much to catch you up on, but I think I'll have to save it for when I have access to my pictures and my own computer.  My internet access has been very limited so I don't get to share all of my wonderful experiences with you all!  Right now I'm stealing someone else's computer while he's at an orientation.  Shh...

Just wanted to pass along a quick update.  Today is my first full day in country without any other Americans.  Yesterday was a bit stressful after having lost my rental phone and not knowing where I was going to stay.  However, I have had the good fortune of being surrounded by amazing people here who jumped at my needs and are generously spoiling me with food and accommodation.  There is no question as to how blessed I am, always.

I'm not sure why exactly this is, but my sense of gratitude has been greatly heightened during this trip.  I have been so keenly aware of the grace and fortune I experience everyday of my life, to the point where I find myself in tears over the opportunities I have.  Either that, or they're tears of exhaustion!

Not only am I surrounded by wonderful people here during my travels, but I have been so abundantly blessed at home.  My parents have been jumping at my every whim each time I find myself in a bind over here.  They were supportive of me venturing out into the world in the first place, despite how nerve racking it must be to have their young daughter wandering about in a foreign country making plans as she goes.  My brother and sister have shown me great love and always let me know how happy they are that I'm following my dreams.  My grandparents all do everything they can to share their love and cover me prayerfully and financially--both of which I'm finding are very necessary!

And you, readers.  Prayer warriors, dreamers, doers.  I'm so grateful for you.  I have needed the love and support I feel emanating from your direction.  Each time I see my number of blog views go up, my heart jumps a little, just to know that you care.  I want you to know that I couldn't be doing this without you; experiences mean little without people to share them with.  I wish I could take each of you along with me and treat you to all I have been blessed with.

Which reminds me...there are times (more often than not) that I show my American side.  I have now picked up more postcards than I know what to do with.  If you are willing, I would like to collect your addresses to pass along a note as a thank you for joining me in this journey.  You can't even know what an impact you are making.

“If you could only sense how important you are to the lives of those you meet; how important you can be to the people you may never even dream of. There is something of yourself that you leave at every meeting with another person.”
― Fred Rogers

Wish you all were here,

Lorien

My email address for passing along addresses:
lorien.howe@gmail.com