One week ago I was in Rome, Italy. Today I woke up in Edgewood, Washington in the USA. My nation has almost always been a place I have been proud to be from. Being here, now, and knowing that I will be here for a long time, is an adjustment my mind has yet to make. It is not that I do not want to be here, I do. In many ways I need to be here, now. This morning my mother gave me a kiss before heading off for her radiation treatment. She was diagnosed with breast cancer two months ago.
When I heard the news, I was still in Albania. Knowing that everything is in the hands of God, I was soon convinced that I would not see her again. It wasn’t until a group of my Albanian friends gathered around me to pray for my mother that I knew she would live; at least long enough for us to have another conversation or two. I was relieved, but still not entirely trusting of my own understanding of God’s plan in all of this.
She encouraged me not to change any of my plans in order to come home early to see her. I didn’t. Last night my mother and I had dinner at the Powerhouse in Puyallup, Washington together. This morning my disorientation at being home is almost complete. As I look at the opening passages of Jeremiah, I read “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart…” (Jer. 1:5, NIV)
I know, God, I do. And in my heart I know who I belong to. In my heart and in my mind I know that You care for me and that all of this, everything is pointing in the direction of your redeeming work in the world. I know who I belong to, and that I am precious to You. Thank you for more time with my mother. Amen.
albaniacalling 
Praying for your mama ❤