And so on a bright and sunny Parisian day, we set off for home. It was hard to believe that this adventure we had so anticipated, two months of living abroad, had come to an end. We were ready for the familiarity of home--as Brooke told me later, "I was homesick for my bed!" But, we were reluctant to say good-bye to a new place of familiarity, a place that will always have a home in our hearts.
We will be forever changed by this summer--the friendships we have made, the sights we have seen, the history we have learned, the cultures we have experienced. The way we look at the world will always be shaped by our time abroad. As for myself, I am hoping my lessons learned will stay with me...being intentional about spending time with my friends and family...going for long walks and taking deep breaths...enjoying a lovingly prepared cup of hot tea and good conversation with someone I love...making the extra effort to protect God's creation...savoring each day that God has put before me as a gift...worshipping God passionately...becoming more aware of Christ and less aware of myself.
At the beginning of the Chronicles of England, I talked about "Dore" being our open door to discovering this new place and adventure in our lives. As we shut the door at 13 Rue de la Roquette, we closed this chapter of our lives, this ministry exchange that changed our lives. But as we opened the door to our home in Tennessee, we also began our lives in a new way--with a deeper appreciation for each other, for our loved ones, for home, and for our Lord. May he continue to open our doors, and may we always trust Him enough to walk through them.
It has been a beautiful experience to share our journey with you--we hope that you have been blessed through its telling! Love, Susan
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