Time flies when you're not expecting an epiphany

Cliche for me to say, but time really has flown by and I can hardly wrap my head around this whole experience. Soon I will be organizing my things to head back home and to the East Coast and good ol' Virginney. I'm not really allowing myself to get too caught up in all of the emotions that are coming my way because I know they'll be here soon enough. But since my last little blog - almost a month ago - I've had a lot of little wow moments in my life, where the breath in my lungs has been caught up to allow me to see the holiness of the path that I have been sharing with this new community I have had the honor and privilege to glimpse. And although I can't really do them justice with a list of them, it will have to suffice until I can speak to you all in person:

1. Spent the 4th of July at a family BBQ where I laughed until I cried
2. From Telegraph Hill I was able to see the expanse of the bay and the beauty of God's nature
3. Met a man named Russ in Berkeley who by hand makes pottery, wore a tie dye shirt, and who is a recovering drug addict and alcoholic
4. Experienced the shrieks of joy and wonder of children at the SF Zoo - although I didn't get a chance to see the tiger exhibit
5. Heard one of the most beautiful sermons I have ever heard preached at MCC San Francisco about how the book Revelation in the Bible is not about the Armageddon that our culture so vividly portrays, but rather it is an unveiling of a prophesy (and not prediction) that culture does not need to be dominated by oppressive imperialistic forces and powers but rather by love and compassion and justice. It was AMAZING because I never really have understood this book of the Bible, and also because it made so much sense in comparison to what I've been taught and seen in the world. I hope to be able to go back there to hear the rest of the series.
6. Been amazed at the simple beauty of sunlight waking me every morning
7. Recognized how limiting it is to just expect one thing in my life to make it complete - like the perfect job, or the perfect relationship, or what have you. I've come to a point where I'm realizing there are so many paths available for me to travel, and to set my hopes on just one way of finding my happiness is in the long run cheating me out of all of the various ways God reveals himself.

I have really connected with the people here - maybe not on grand scales, but on levels that God willing will stay with us. I hold them dear to my heart, and the joy and peace that I have experienced here will be a testament to the rest of my life - that in every touch or breath or word that is shared between people there is something more powerful than we can understand, something that binds us together and creates accountability and opportunity for love.