.christine is here.

it's the best thing in the world.

i wrote this four years ago,

in bolivia,

after our 10-day vacation together in the middle of our HNGR internships.

"...But honestly, I think that had we been staying in a tiny motel room in an alley somewhere and it had rained the whole week,

I still would have been totally happy.

The best part was just being with Christine.

We got to share our hearts, tell some of the stories we've heard here,

laugh together over the joys and goofs of the last few months.

We got to cry over our own failings that we've come face to face with as we've lived out of our comfort zones,

over how much we miss our friends and family back home,

over the injustices and horrors we have seen and heard and not been able to do anything about.

We were able to affirm, enjoy, and pray for each other,

and speak God's truth to each other's hearts-

that He could not love us more

even if we had been "the perfect HNGR interns".

That He is doing more than we can see or imagine,

in the lives of the people that we have grown to love so much here, and in our own.

That there is fruit in both of our hearts and lives from this time,

and there will be more."

i wrote that in an internet cafe in bolivia,

at 21,

homesick and tired and grateful for that time with my friend.

here we are, 25 years old,

a newlyishwed in illinois and a grad student in oregon...

when we are together,

this is still how it is

and what we do.

these days,

we are not usually homesick

and we spend most of our hours speaking our first language...

but it is still what we need.

i am so grateful for this friend who refreshes, reminds, and strengthens my heart.

wine tasting today... i'm working pretty hard to convince her they need to move here