Crossing the Threshold

For the past year and a half, my life has been, ironically, a constant state of change. And while the transition periods between the titles of high-school graduate, sister-in-law, college freshman, and first-time aunt were seemingly nonexistent, I have found life to unfailingly become far sweeter with the passing of each new milestone. I guess it's appropriate, then, that just as I'm getting used to being called "Aunt Margo" (by the rest of the family... Cade's not quite there yet), it's time for another life-changing event to take place.

Enter: First semester abroad in Buenos Aires.

I've only been here for a matter of hours, but I am already in love with this city. Though I'm not all too fond of being shamelessly stared at as I explore the city in the company of 10+ rubias (fair-skinned, light-haired girls), I can already sense the locals' unique balance of cultural pride and hospitality to foreigners. As we meandered the calles in attempts to acquaint ourselves with the neighborhood surrounding Casa Holden, I couldn't help but think of what Bilbo Baggins had to say about crossing the threshold into the unknown:

“It's a dangerous business, going out your door. You step onto the road, and if you don't keep your feet, there's no telling where you might be swept off to."

- The Fellowship of the Ring

Here I am, finally in the city I've spent the past 2 1/2 years dreaming about. I've stepped out of my door and into a completely different culture, and there's no map to tell me just where this road is leading. Despite all the uncertainties that are a part of this journey, though, I am so comforted by the one aspect of this experience of which I'm completely certain: for the next 2 semesters, Buenos Aires is exactly where I am supposed to be.

For the next 3 months, I'll be living in a foreign culture, trying to get a handle on a different language, and probably committing social faux-pas far more often than I'm aware. However, though I may not know what's awaiting around the corner, I can hardly begin to explain the incredible comfort I find in knowing my time in Argentina is that of great purpose. When I sense even the faintest bit of culture shock or frustration with the language barrier beginning to set in, I am humbly reminded that this whole experience is for something far greater than my Spanish fluency or cultural immersion. Though everything seems foreign to me, I find confidence in the constant nature of the One who has brought me here. And while I may stumble on the cobblestone, time and time again, He will always help me keep my feet.

³¹For who is God, but the LORD?
And who is a rock, except our God,
³²The God who girds me with strength
And makes my way blameless?
³³He makes my feet like hinds' feet,
And sets me upon my high places.
- Psalm 18: 31-33

Love from Abroad (and pictures to come!),
Margaret