30 days left

30 days left

I remember when we first arrived Central Asia, Sally Katherine and I started the countdown. We would say things like “we are 1/16th of the way through.” Three years ago the count down was something to keep me sane but today marks the 30 day count down until I leave and my heart is not looking forward to this count down as much as I thought I would when I started this journey 3 years ago. Instead of the traditional count down here is a list of 30 things I am going to miss about Central Asia (in no particular order)
30 – hanging out with Brain, Gail Ethan, and Elliott
29- having a Russian lesson on the way to school (I still can not say “normal” with the correct inflection!)
28- eating plov
27- my kids at school 
26- being called “Aunt Blythe”
25- standing by the side of the road and putting my hand out to catch a taxi and the face the most taxies are random cars that stop to see of you are going their way!
24- Laughing because the kindergartens think it is really windy when the leaves barely start to move! 
23- watching the snow fall straight down (because there is no wind!)
22- hanging out with the Gilberts!!!
21- pizza nights with the Owens
20- going to house ch and knowing that the people there know my heart
19- riding in the front seat when Lisa drives
18- the senior girls (all 8 of them)
17- the vegetable man who now hands me a bag and lets me pick out my own fruits and veggies
16- laughing because I shop at a store called Gross
15- celebrating sunny days with the kindergarteners
14- smiling when I realize that I remembered the word I wanted to say in Russian when I needed to say it!
13- My team – they are an incredible group of people who really are family to each other
12- sitting in the kitchen, cooking, and talking with Gail
11- being able to pr*ay with my students
10- going to school in the morning and greeting kids in every grade from K-12th
9- eating Laguman, making a mess and not caring!
8- celebrating the joy of American food!
7- laughing and crying with my “family” here
6- taking great joy in watching American Idol because it is a show in ENGLISH
5- knowing that what I do is making a difference in the kingdom
4- laughing at language mistakes and stories
3- seeing that mountains every morning while waiting for the driver to pick me up for school
2- having a driver pick me up for school!
1- My mountains – there is nothing quite so spectacular as seeing the mountains covered with snow and a brilliant bleu sky- making it all seem like a painting rather than real life.
There are many other things that I will miss but it is getting late and I am sooo tired so I think this will do!