Less than one week.

Wow.

How fast this summer has gone by! It's strange - there were times that it really seemed to be going slowly, but now at the end it seems that it was just yesterday that I got here. And yet, I'm so close to all of my new friends and "family" that it seems like that I've actually lived here all along. (I don't mean that literally, Mom...I know where my home is!)

So, we leave Queensland on Wednesday. That means we have 3 more whole days here. I've gotten to the point where I almost don't want to have to do the whole goodbye thing, I'd almost rather slip away quietly. It's going to be too sad. Goodbyes are never fun. But I know that we will be doing a good bit of them on Sunday night. The Heinrich's are hosting a "supper" (which is the meal that comes after dinner here) after church partially as a goodbye for us. It will be good, but I don't want to leave people. And part of me is just ready for this next week to be over with, and to be back home. It will be all goodbyes, a painful attempt to discuss my experiences with other people, and over 24 hours of traveling.

God, give me strength for this last stretch.

I have this problem with the end of every one of my travels - I have issues with discussing what happened to me with others who weren't with me. I'm aware of the problem, but that doesn't change the fact that when I get back, it's always hard for me to tell people about what I did, what I learned, what I experienced. That's one reason I blogged - to share my experiences and what I've learned with people while it's happening instead of trying to explain it all afterwards. I tend to have a hard time sorting it all out in my head for a few days until sometimes a week afterward. So, don't be offended if you ask about my trip and I don't feel like talking about it or I have a hard time explaining it - it's not you, it's me.

This post is starting to sound a bit depressing and melancholy, but that's not really how I feel. I'm content with where I am. I'm so thankful that God allowed me to come here this summer. Part of me still can't believe I'm actually in Australia. I'm ready to return home, back to normal life, yet I can't stand the thought of leaving all of these wonderful people. But it will be alright. It always is, and God is with me - though I leave friends behind in life, He will never leave me and I will never leave Him. It's so amazing to think about.

I'm not really sure that this post has even made much sense, but I'm going to go now and try and catch some sleep. Good night to you all!