fellowship

Because I love reading, literature, movies...and have a horrible tendency to quote movies and books almost more than I say original thoughts...I have of course been comparing my life to epic stories like Lord of the Rings.

Yes, this post might as well be a great flashing sign telling you that I'm a nerd, but I am completely ok with that.

Us nine Wake Forest students here in Dijon this semester decided that we were like the Fellowship of the Ring, and therefore we gave everyone a LOTR character. (I would like to underline that this was totally a group idea...so I'm not the only crazy one.)

Peter, semi-frat star but ever sweet and personable, was dubbed Aragorn.


Lauren, loving, super smart, and always organized...naturally, Gandalf.


MaryKate, red-headed sweetheart with an affinity for complaining; thats Gimli.


Me, always the trouble maker and continual goofball, got the role of Pippin.


Jenn, quiet but hilarious, is Merry.


Kara, so sweet and loyal, definitely gets to be Sam.


Wright, just because he's awkward and we didn't know who he should be, is Frodo.


Carleigh, always a little bit out there but always graceful...without question, Legolas.


Miles, because he's always willing to do what no one will, is Boromir.


We also decided that Madame Barbour gets to be Bilbo, and our favorite chauffeur Patrick is Treebeard.
All of this crazy, awkward, nerdy comparing to the Lord of the Rings (besides the fact that its pretty funny) is just indicative of the bond that our group has formed.

We don't always get along. Some of us are closer than others. Some of us are ready to leave France, some of us aren't. But the point is, this unique group of individuals made this semester more than memorable for me.

I have found, in this group, 8 new amazing friends...and even if we aren't as close when we get back to Wake as we are right now, I know for sure that the friendships will, in some form or fashion, continue.

"And the fellowship of the ring... though eternally bound by friendship and love...was ended."


I am beginning to feel a bit more peace about going home. I've spent much of the last few days praying and journaling, trying to rationalize the crazy swirl of emotions.

"How do you pick up the threads of an old life?"


I've decided that one of the biggest emotions that is getting me is the overwhelming sensation that time passed so quickly. I honestly and completely do not believe that its December and that I am flying to the States in less than two days.

What I am realizing, though, is that this experience is not ending when I leave French soil. I have been completely and irrevocably changed by this experience. I have grown up more than I ever though possible. I've overcome a culture shock and a language barrier. I've learned independence but dependence on the Lord. I've traveled to different countries and all over France. In one single moment, God told me, reassured me, that His purpose for my career is special education. I've laughed, cried, been frustrated, been homesick, been so content, made stupid decisions, learned from them, made good decisions, learned from them...and the list goes on and on.

So yes, while the next few days, and probably the next week or two, are going to be really hard for me, I know that I'll be fine. Because there are so many things back home that I have missed, so many people who love me and who could not be more excited for my return...and that'll make all the difference in the world.

" ...you cannot always be torn in two. You will have to be one and whole for many years. You have so much to enjoy and to be and to do. Your part in the story will go on."