It seems as though reality finally boarded the plane to join me here in Moscow. It wasn’t until today that it finally sunk in that this will be my home for the next four months. This isn’t a two-week vacation that will be coming to an end right at the point of, “I had a good trip, but now im ready to go home.” This is more or less a string of eight of those vacations. I understand that wherever you are is the real world, but humor me when I say that those two weeks getaways are like an escape from said real world. Today, it was like realizing that Moscow is my “real world” right now; and if I want to keep up the TV show theme, you could say it is like “true life: I live in Moscow”. Insane.
What I miss more than I considered I would, is the sun. The days are short here, and the sun seems content to show itself only on occasion. Without it, I am subconsciously aware and affected by the gray of the city. It isn’t a thought that I carry in my head constantly, but is more like a small, unseen weight that pulls on my mood throughout the day. The gray buildings, cars, and dust seem to try to shade my mood to match their color.
I started this blog last night but didnt finish. I went to sleep predicting another gray day to follow, and intending on writing about Moscow’s complete lack of light. Leave it to the world to make a liar out of me, though, for today it was beautiful and the sun was out! It was as if the clouds heard me, and parted ways just for me. Today was our first day of class, and though it was interesting, I was practically bouncing with excitement to get out (while still maintaining my newfound, cool and collected, “russian” exterior of course). We learned how to say “it is good weather,” and that was like dangling food in front of a hungry puppy. I had to get outside. As soon as class ended, we headed for the park and I lost my front of disinterest; the American girl in me was unleashed! We giggled and sang, and we had a photo shoot. I threw the snow in the air, and its cool sting on my face was wonderful. Tomorrow there is little chance of another cloudless sky, but I will be content.
Though I do miss the frequent occurrence of the sun’s light, it is nothing but a small candle compared to the light and joy to be found in the Lord. The gray shades, of the tiniest dust particles, cannot overcome my heart’s mood when it is set on the Lord, nor can the grayest and tallest of any building. I wouldn’t complain for a second if the sun were to come out day after day, but do I need it to? No, I guess I don’t. My joy is not in our sun – my joy is in the Son.
Psalm 119:105
a little slideshow :)
a little slideshow :)
My sister and I were talking about this the other day! The sun is pretty scarce here too. Yesterday it came out when I was walking home from church and I was definitely almost giggling as I was walking down the street! Haha
ReplyDeleteWe also realized something encouraging...it's already past the longest day of the year, so in the Northern Hemisphere, the days are only getting longer from here on out! :)