A Wandering Soul?

I realize I haven't posted in weeks now, so here I am, dropping some random thoughts.

Recently, while I was browsing on Facebook, I came across this quote, posted by a friend of mine:

"You will never be completely at home again, because part of your heart will always be elsewhere. That is the price you pay for the richness of loving and knowing people in more than one place."

That particular quote hit home hard.  This past weekend our group visited a rural community in the middle of nowhere, Costa Rica.  It reminded me of home and thus I felt instantly comfortable there.  I had little trouble sleeping because it was so quiet compared to the city.  If I looked up at the sky the stars were brilliantly shining and I was breathing country air, just like at home.  The family I stayed with was very welcoming and comfortable as well.

Then, when I returned to San José, my room felt a little odd to me, but then the familiarity settled back in.  I began to think about how at home I felt in the rural community and yet how I have a home in the capital city.

Around that time is when  I saw the quote posted on Facebook and began to wonder if that's true or not because now, not only do I have several homes in the United States (my own home, my university home, and my best friend's house), but I also have several here in Costa Rica.  I have spent sufficient time in both countries to meet, know, and love the people I've encountered.

So will the quote become part of my life?  Will I return to my home country and never feel comfortable there?  Will part of me always be longing to return to Costa Rica?  Although I realize these questions are in part a normal process of traveling as I have, in some ways I may indeed leave part of myself behind.

I'm confident that some day I will find a place to settle more permanently and will make that place my home, but I keep wondering if sometimes I will be overwhelmed with longing for the people left behind and how I will deal with that.  It's intriguing because I hadn't really thought of that.  However, I am sure that all will be well in the end.  It's truly a blessing to belong in so many places even if it's all at the same time.

Joshua 1:9 "Have I not commanded you?  Be strong and courageous!  Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."

~Nola