What I Would Have Missed

So, I was randomly thinking the other day about how I am going to miss taking a long hot shower for 7 months while I'm gone. As I was thinking this, I realized that I needed to stop thinking about things I'm going to miss while I'm gone. Instead, I need to start a list of things that I WOULD HAVE missed out on had I chose not to pursue going to Tanzania. Here's my list so far:

-I'd miss out on the chance to meet amazing people.
-I'd miss out on the chance to totally immerse myself in another culture.
-I'd miss out on appreciating the beauty of God's creation in a different part of the world.
-I'd miss out on the opportunity to explore a foreign country with one of my best friends, James.
-I'd miss out on the opportunity to hold my beautiful children at the orphanage again. I'd miss out on the opportunity to give them the love and affection they long for and deserve.
-I'd miss out on the opportunity to challenge myself professionally in a way I could never be challenged here in the U.S. (i.e., teaching with limited text books, and teaching students whose only 'school supply' is probably one notebook and a pencil).
-I'd miss out on the chance to really experience what it means to live life at a slower pace … to not feel rushed to 'do this or do that' 24/7.
-I'd miss out on the opportunity to become fluent (well, hopefully fluent) in another language.
-I'd miss out on the opportunity to go on another SAFARI!

I'm sure my list will keep growing over these next few weeks!

Also, here is another picture from James. This is a picture of the sisters convent where I'll probably be staying. It is right between my school and where the monks live.