home.

there are songs written about it. everyone from...

John Denver: "Ain't it good to be back home again..."

to

Diddy: "I'm coming home...coming home. Tell the world I'm coming home."

to

Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zero's: "Home is wherever I'm with you."

to

A Hymn Writer: "There is beauty all around, when there's love at home."

And let me tell you...I have come to appreciate this concept of home so much! (it will be touched upon later)

In case you haven't figured it out, I have returned from my Month (and six days) excursion across the country. When thinking about writing this blog, it seemed a bit daunting. I haven't updated since the beginning of the month, and I didn't know how I would fit all of those stories and pictures into one blog without being overwhelmed.

So...i decided not to. (write about the last few weeks of my trip).

That does not mean i cannot summarize. but it will be a TRUE summary. not a typical Suzy-Summary (which can range anywhere from a few descriptive sentences to a detailed narrative.)

Bullet points normally keep me from rambling. normally.

i decided to summarize so that we'll actually have something to talk about when I see you. Spilling it all on my blog makes conversations with people go like this.

Person: "Aw hi Suzy! How are you doing!?"
Me: "Hey! I'm doing really well! Just got back from an AMAZING road trip!"
Person: "Oh yeah! I read all about it on your blog! it sounded so fun!"
Me: "...oh cool! yeah...that was pretty much it!"
*awkward silence*
Person: "And I read about what you plan on doing this fall too! Sounds like a great plan!"
Me: "Yup...pretty excited about it."
*awkward pause*
Person: "Well it was really great to catch up with you... Keep posting blogs, i love the updates!"
Me: "You too!"
(i silently wonder if my writing is that much better than my conversation so that people would rather read about it via blog instead of talking to me about it. trust me people, i'm much more animated in real life...)

then i go home and blog stalk them.

• Gateway woods volunteering- fantastic and amazing. great people. hard work. heart benefits from serving.
• poison ivy- one of the worst experiences of my life. lots of no-sleep nights. lots of medication. my legs and feet have lots of scars now.
  
• Gateway woods Sale- I never cease to be amazed at how incredible this event is. teamwork. people. fellowship. money flowing like it was never an issue. lemon shake-ups being sold for $50 a cup. phenomenal. like always.
  
• Meeting with Chief Probation Officer of Allen County-This was a great experience. but it helped me realize that i was made for LA and it was made for me.
  
• Family Vacation-Bullet point can't do it justice. but i'm being committed to my style here. it was so great. adorable niece started walking. puppykins loves her auntie Suzy. everyone got along. lots of water sports. lots of AMAZING food. inside jokes. memories. i love my family so SO much.
  
• Trek Home-My great friend Kaits offered to drive home with me. we decided to push through. I left Byron Center, MI at 9:34 am on Sunday morning. Drove to Chicago. picked up Kaits. we left pretty immediately and we arrived at my home at 4:07 pm on Monday afternoon. Simon stayed healthy. We took turns sleeping and driving. we are road warriors.

And with that...I am home.

Only Kaits can truly attest to how excited this made me. Every sign for Pasadena made me yelp in excitement. Everytime I'd give it just a moment of thought, I'd squeal and smile super big. Don't get me wrong...i have loved my trip immensely. I just love home more.

I love the familiar. the streets I can drive on without a GPS. the old Armenian ladies that walk up and down the streets. the neighbor's awesome burn-notice-esque charger. the buildings. all things that I know.

There are so many places i want to go and see. People i need to catch up with. foods I need to eat. AHHH!!!

Being home is good for my heart. it settles me. It is a gift God has given me to remind me that he loves me. Because sometimes I forget. So I am going to now learn not to take advantage of this gift. I will learn to relish the little details of my life that bless me. Decide that when there are challenges and difficulties that I will look for the reminders of his Love.

And now to start life! =) thank you for all your prayers, love, hospitality, texts, facebook comments, hugs, etc... during my trip.

Au Revoir!

p.s. if you DO blog-stalk me (no judgment, cuz I do it)/read my blog, please comment! Just say hi. or "read by me." or whatever. I don't care if we don't know each other well (or at all) and you feel creepy! I like to know who reads my blog, so those conversations in person that might happen some day where i'm rambling on about my life and you ALREADY KNOW IT can be avoided. (fair warning: i might still ramble. that's just me. but the chances are SLIGHTLY SMALLER knowing you've read it already.)
'kaythanks.