Time is Dwindling Down

...and I'm getting depressed....sort of...

At first, the idea of going home was just heart wrenching;literally like someone was squeezing my insides. But as I've gotten more and more use to the idea of leaving this sacred land, the idea of going home is less traumatic.

I feel like being here has been so conducive to my growth, spiritual and otherwise, and what I've come to realize is it's because it's an environment that is loving, uniting, and it's infused with a sense of purpose. Yes it's been hard and yes there have been times I've wanted to strangle people out of frustration, but overall, this environment fosters unity, it emanates love and friendship, and it gives a focus to life. It's hard to explain, but as my time starts to run out, I'm trying to soak it in as much as possible (even writing this is making me sad and want to cry)...

The last couple weeks/months I was contemplating moving to Australia permanently to start work and maybe live here for a bit; but through talking to my adopted families and life-guiders here, I came to the conclusion that, even though I love Australia more than I ever thought I would, now is probably the time for me to go back to school. I've always wanted to go back when I was passionate about something, but at the rate I'm going, that may never happen...and in order to start a career and travel to my little hearts desire, I'll need to get some sort of credentials. Studying abroad is always an option too....too late to still hope Oprah will adopt me? Maybe....

Guiding at the Temple last Friday, I was able to talk to this really, really spiritual guy, who is obviously on a path of self-discovery and search. We had a full 2 hour conversation, talking about everything from industrialization to the purpose of family life to the unifying nature that is religion. He may not know it, but he's on a path and as much as he thinks he has found his place, he's not there yet, because he was drawn to the Temple and that is something. What I realized while talking to him, though I've realized this before, is how unique it is to have this opportunity- to have people COME to where I'm working specifically to learn about the Faith, and to be here to share and teach as much as possible is a true blessing and a wondrous learning experience. Whether people know it or not, they've come to the House of Worship, not by chance, but by something greater than they know. Hopefully I've been able to help plant a seed of interest to purely just learn. What other times will I have people coming somewhere specifically to learn and to explore? You bet I'm soaking it in like a sponge.

The period of the Fast has just concluded and it was a lovely experience to do it with close friends. It's one of those things that you don't necessarily know what the spiritual effects on yourself are, but you know that through detachment comes joy, and that cant be a bad thing. This coming weekend we have a friend that's going to take us to see an AFL (Australian Football League) game- I'm excited! Not too into football (remember, this is Australian football), but if it makes me more Australian, I'm down!

I've started a list of things I want to do before I go home, so the next month and a half will be quite packed. Hopefully when I get home I can have like an “info” night so people can come see pictures and hear stories and all try Vegemite.

Let the countdown begin....=/