A little homesick

It always feels like Monday comes too quickly...but, here I am at the end of another one! The weekend went well. Thankfully, I didn't feel like I had as much school work to do, so I had some down time to just relax, especially on Sunday afternoon. Mark, on the other hand, was quite busy, since he had his first lesson on Friday and his second today. He practiced most of the afternoon on Sunday. So, that left me alone at home, which hasn't really happened much yet, since he and I are coming and going together most of the time. I did some reading, watched a movie, talked to my mom for a bit, and started feeling quite homesick. I've resisted writing about that feeling so far, but maybe it'll help. I feel quite thankful that I've got kind of an instant set of friends--the other first year GATs who are also in the EL/L program. And I am enjoying getting to know them. It's nice to be with people who are doing exactly (or almost exactly) what I am. It gives us a lot in common from the start. But, it's no substitute for people who already know you like friends and family back home. I guess part of that is because of my personality. It takes me a while to feel like I really know other people and to let them really get to know me. And it's like I've left a whole other life behind. Maybe this is what it's like for anyone the first time they leave home. I try not to dwell too much on what's going on in ABQ, or I feel like I'm missing out. On the other hand, I do think about everyone. I miss my old office, for example. Right now, I'm in the computer lab at my new office. During orientation, they talked about how it was so hard to get work done here because there's always so many people around...I thought it would feel familiar, a bit like the office I left. But, so far, it's been almost deserted! The nice part about that is, of course, that I get a lot of work done here, there's always a computer available, etc. But I miss having people nearby to talk to. Occasionally, I see someone I know, but usually just in passing. It's not like at H-town where walking up and down the hall could take half an hour because everyone is visiting with you. So I miss that. And of course, my fantastic co-workers there. It's the same with church. Yesterday, we went back to First Southern Baptist's college worship service, and tonight we're going to go again to their small group study for 'young marrieds.' I think we may continue to go to this church, and maybe stay in the small group. It was really nice to meet a handful of other young couples still in or recently graduated from college. But being there made me miss our friends from home, too. I guess it'll just take some time to start feeling the same way about people here that I do about the people from home. Of course, the wonderful part of all this is being with Mark. I think I'd have a really hard time if I didn't come home to someone I already know well at the end of each day. Like everyone said before we moved, it is good for us to depend more on each other, and of course on the Lord. So, those of you who are reading this in ABQ--know how much I miss you. And don't worry (mom), despite feeling a little lonely from time to time, I am still glad to be here, and I know it'll start to feel more and more like home, too.