Traveling

So these past few days have been some of the most fun/interesting/entertaining/ any other random word you can think about.

So, this is my first time blogging, but second time in Armenia. Anyway, last year I attended this same pilgrimage yet my experiences have been very different. We have been touring most of the same churches and some new ones and it strikes me that I have both the same and different feelings when visiting. About a week ago we visited my favorite church of all, Sanahin. I remembered the ways the trees looked during twilight and the feeling I got when touching the century old stone. But a I don't remember feeling so comfortable.

To be honest, this trip has left me torn inside. Although I bleed the blood of an Armenian, I was born and raised as an American. Throughout my life, it has been difficult for me  to find a balance between the two. Sometimes I feel like I am the only one of my kind, and that God has blessed with a special gift, but cannot seem to find someone to give it to.

hey everyone in the world wide web thats readin this blog, i would just like to say that i am quickly falling in love with my motherland Armenia. Today was definitely a day to remember. We took a 3 hour bus ride to vanadzor and saw the most beautiful churches ever! Its absolutely amazing to think that our Christian religion can be dated back to sooo long ago. Standing in those churches today made me soo proud to be an Armenian, after all we have been through we still have all the strength in the world, as a people, to keep going.

We have 22 days left in Armenia and I still cannot believe that I am here. Waking up in the morning, looking out of my bedroom window, I am still amazed that I am in my motherland. I feel so honored and blessed to even have the opportunity to be on this trip. Last night I ran into two of my friends who came to Armenia with the Eastern Diocese and apparently there are 5 more of my friends in the same group. This summer has been the summer of coming to Armenia among my friends. A piece of home is with me now. If they're not someone I've met before, they have some connection to my friends.