oh Kolkata!

This time in Kolkata has been so good and full. i am thankful.

its interesting to me to think back and see the process in my heart over the time that i've been here. i'm not gonna lie, the first moments were tough, as we rode from the airport - feeling heavy hearted, hating the smells and sights and sounds, feeling like i needed to apologize to Merilee over and over again for what this city is...and wondering deep in my heart what exactly possessed me to decide that i love this city and that i wanted to commit to this place for the next season of life.

But i am thankful for time with friends - sweet time with good friends, and confirmation in my heart that beyond all logic, this is where i want to put down roots. i long to be a part of this community. Its with a fair bit of sadness that i have said, "good bye" to different friends these past couple days. And its with a heavy heart that i say, "i'll see you in a year." (I hope). a year seems so long. but this morning Gita reminded me that days will come and go, and before we know it i will be here.

i look forward to learning the language enough to communicate and understand fully. (or more fully). i look forward to how relationships will deepen and change. I look forward to the ways God is going to continue to change me as i live. here.

i feel like i have a lot to process and journal from the past week (partially due to watching, "Slumdog Millionaire"...but more on that another day). part of me is really tired of travelling...or more accurately, tired of getting ripped off while traveling. Tonight we take the night train to Agra to see the Taj Mahal, and then on to Jaipur to see the "pink city" - and then...home. not the US for me, not quite yet...on to my south asia home. . i'm looking forward to all three stops...for very different reasons!