Bittersweet.

I have 3 weeks left in this paradise and nothing has ever felt so incredibly bittersweet. Although I am physically exhausted and ready to go home see my family, my cute little pup and SLEEP FOREVER, I know my heart will be longing to come back here for the rest of my life. The fact that 11 months have gone by completely blows my mind. On the one hand it feels like only a few weeks ago but at the same time LIFETIMES ago. I have really grown and changed so much that I can barely recognize the me that arrived in Telaviv aiport last June. What a year of unexpected gifts it has been! Although I have truly been challenged and tested and had some VERY low lows, I also experienced moments of such intense and unexplainable joy and happiness that I cant even imagine ever being able to feel again. It also amazes me that during this year of service, I met my future husband (so weird to say out loud!) when we were both living in Akko. Since November, 7 months ago, I have spent almost every day with this wonderful man and I am just left feeling so incredibly thankful and grateful. Too many blessings. 

Michel will be here until November, which means several months of being without him which I am not looking so forward to. The goodbyes will be hard but I am definitely looking forward to all the exciting new chapters of my life!

Looking foward.

10 things I look forward to doing in the coming years:

1. Being a mother. Taking my children to the playground, reading them bed time stories, singing them to sleep, going to the farmers market with them on the weekends and teaching them to be kind and giving individuals.

2. Marrying my best friend whom I love, adore and have the utmost respect for.

3. Having a beautiful, warm and love filled home.

4. Constant dinner/ tea parties.

5. Devotionals at my home. Prayer, tea, candles and good people. The perfect evening.

6. Having a job that I am passionate about and leaves me with a sense of fulfillment when I head home at the end of the day.

7. Always being active and spending time outside in the sunshine.

8. Being in a constant state of growth. Always learning, changing and evolving.

9. Remembering all that I have been blessed with and being grateful even with times get tough.
10. Living in the moment. Making each second count.

Oh, soul.

Oh soul,

you worry too much.

You have seen your own strength.

You have seen your own beauty.

You have seen your golden wings.

Of anything less, why do you worry?

You are in truth the soul, of the soul, of the soul. - Rumi

A month ago - Ridvan.

Spent the morning at Ridvan garden.

Mazra'ih.

Yesterday afternoon included picking deliciously juicy fruit off the trees, breathing in the sweet perfume of brightly colored roses and listening to inspiring and heart warming stories. My heart was happy.

Engaged.

So happy and blessed to be engaged to my best friend who is a daily inspiration and cause of laughter in my life.