Last evening I had a great time of fellowship and sharing with the rest of the gang - made some "real" hot chocolate (i.e., melted chunks of chocolate in hot milk) and shared what we'd been thinking about and reading in our quiet times recently. We ended up talking for quite a while about the soul - how do we connect with people on that level? What holds us back? Do I even know the state of my own soul? I shared how I've been pondering the idea of what it means to "hunger and thirst after God/righteousness," and how as your soul is emptied of poor food and drink it begins to crave God; pure, unadulterated, life-giving God.

It doesn't look like I'm going to be able to get out on my own for some solo backpacking time. Even though that was my original plan, I'm glad that it's changed. I realize now that what I really needed, what I was really craving, was rest and fellowship... both of which I've been getting in abundance. Only two more days until the rest of the crew shows up, so I might as well take advantage of what little down time remains.

I feel slightly guilty at times that I don't miss my "home" at all. I still think of the people, friends and family, and the place, but I don't (at least not yet) really miss or long for them. Is that a bad thing? Shouldn't I be missing my family, or my church, or even my old apartment? Maybe it's just because I'm well-suited for a life on the road... or maybe, if I'm honest, it's because I avoid putting down my roots too deep. Do I try and keep people at arm's length so I won't be tied down to one place by strong relationships? Perhaps. I need to think on that some more. For now, though, another bowl of oatmeal and cup of coffee are in order.