Today my friends and I got together for one last lunch all together before half of us head back to the States for the holidays. For the last two years these women have become my friends. We have talked, cried, laughed, listened, and shared our lives together.

My dear beautiful friends you have meant so much to me. Thank you for listening and sharing your lives with me. You were all an answer to prayer and have been a blessing in my life. God has gifted all of you in so many ways. I will greatly miss you these next couple of months. I love you all.

The following is a poem that my friend wrote for us. It pretty much sums up life here and the feelings I have of heading back to a place I haven't been in almost 3 years.

Hola and Hello

So you are going back
To visit your home
In the very familiar
You may feel alone

Food is fast
Traffic too
You needn't wait for waiters
They will wait on you

Are my loved ones changed?
Or is it me?
Where do I put this paper
After I pee?

A handshake or even a hug
As a greeting
But try not to kiss
Or strange looks you'll be meeting

Phone book directories
Instead of ask a friend
Museums, malls, libraries
And Starbucks without end

Your worth is not based
On what you own
Be it clothes or cars
Or the fancy iPhone

Bi-cultural, bi-lingual, bi-everything at best
A missionary, a wife, a mom and all the rest
But you must remember that above all
As a daughter of God, how valuable you are

And please don't forget
That back here in Bolivia
No matter what happens
There are friends here that love ya'

Chaucito
Hasta pronto
Pues
Nos vemos amiguita