USA, My First Home

I arrived back in the United States on August 7. It's pretty strange to have Taco Bell, dishwashers, Best Buy and a gigantic wardrobe again. In fact, it's not as awesome as I remember to have all of these conveniences. Well, having a dishwasher definitely lives up to expectations, but for example, I keep finding myself frustrated because I have so many clothes that I can't find the ones I'm looking for! It was kind of nice to have only the clothes that would fit in one duffel bag. I thought that I was going to die when I had to go without electricity and running water for two weeks in Swaziland, but now that I'm back in the Land of Plenty, I don't know what to do with myself!
While driving or walking or hanging out with friends, I often find myself really struck by the differences between life in Swaziland and life here. When I first got to Swaziland, it felt so unreal to be in Africa, but now that I'm back home, Swaziland seems like my real life and the US feels strange. I can't believe I'm going back to University and getting a job. I still wake up disoriented, thinking I'm late for teaching English at Baha'i High.
I am, however, ecstatic to be back with my family and friends, especially my grandparents. It's good to just sit with them and talk as if we were never apart at all. But I really miss my Swazi brothers and sisters. I really miss Emmanuel. I know I'll eventually get back to Swaziland to visit them, and even though it's hard to adjust to life here, I'm excited to finish my degree so that I'm free to go where I want.
When I first arrived in Swaziland, I was feeling lonely and isolated in a completely new place with a new culture. But I stayed strong and positive through prayer and by remembering that I had a mission and a purpose to serve humanity, to serve God and to teach the Faith. Now that I'm no longer doing a 'year of service,' I don't want to let go of that mission. My Faith is important to me and I will do my best to 'fuse and unify the contending peoples and kindreds of the earth.' Even though my year of service is over, my life of service is just barely started. My year of service really changed my outlook on life and spirituality and I'm really grateful to God for bringing me through these seven months so that I'm better prepared for the rest of my life. I think I grew more in this time than in the last 5 years together! After reading about my experiences doing service, I hope that all of you will also look into new ways to serve, whether it's long term, short term like mine, or just a small random act of kindness. Everything makes a difference for you as well as the community and even the whole world. When we all arise to serve as one united human family, that's when the worlds' problems that seem impossible will be solved.

'The betterment of the world can be achieved through pure and goodly deeds, through commendable and seemly conduct.'