in the heart of texas.

50 weeks.

It's as if I never left. Texas, that is. From the moment I stepped off the plane until this moment, the night before I head back to North Carolina, it feels as natural to be here as it did the day I was born.

Just as the BBQ place down the street from my mom's house says, "Texas isn't a state. It's a state of mind." As I drove around with my mom this past week, I realized (for the first time, I suppose) that Texas really isn't much different than any other state I've been to, especially not North Carolina. The land and trees are similar, even the people look the same. I had to second-guess all of my claims that Texas is just down right better than any other place you could go. It's just the God-blessed truth: Texas is just down right better. Why? Because we say so, because we put on a show bigger than anyone else, and we make sure we are seen, heard, tasted, felt and in some cases (out in West Texas in particular) smelled.

Texas pride aside though (and trust me, that's hard to do), it's so great because it's home. After months and months of being Texas-less, I needed some affirmation from home. I am being faced with some major life decisions that I never expected to face, and I need Texas to tell me it's okay, that Texas will still be here when all the dust settles and the clouds roll away. Texas maybe didn't come out with it, but the affirmation came through the love from my family.

I'm carrying that love with me back to North Carolina because it's by love that I can continue to do this work that I gave up everything for a year ago, and I am so glad I did it. However, in the coming months, it is for love that I will take my next step into this next year of my life.