10 looong daysss

:-)
It really hasn't been as bad as I thought. The first two days were rough, I definitely ached for my hubby wubs. But then once school started up again and my job kept me occupied, time went by faster and I interacted with people constantly all day to help fill the gap of where RIchard would have been.

Weekends are the worst, though. School and work do not happen on the weekend, which is normally a welcome blessing, but not when I don't have my Richard it feels pretty empty and lame. I'm glad nothing can replace him. :-)

I have scrapbooked, geneology-ed, exercised, studied, read "The Host" which is a very interesting book (thanks dani!)...it is somewhat dark but I've heard it gets better towards the end. I'm halfway, I need to read it faster! Also, I have cleaned and ran lots and lots of errands that had been building up since the crazy winter.

I am so relieved that Richard is coming home this Sunday, and also relieved that our summer schedule lends us a break to relax and revive ourselves for the Fall instead of making us burn out before then. I guess when you have two years of school left, it kind of looms far in the distance and motivation tends to creep away once you've realized how much more there is to do.

I am so glad, though, that Richard was able to go to Guatemala. He has had some very touching experiences helping others. Not all of it has been dental work, although 85% of it has. He was able to visit his mission companion "Otto" in Guatemala City, which was a miracle! And he even did his dental work. He told me that he was able to visit a couple very, very poor families in destitute conditions, bringing them food and toys for their children. He had some very personal experiences and conversations with them and really felt the spirit. I can't wait to hear more. He will be flying to Tikaal tommorow to see some ruins, and from there flying home to me on Sunday!

Richard did alot of x-rays and diagnostics, but his favorite part was assisting the Oral Surgeon. I am so glad he was exposed to so many dental situations and professionals, I think it will give him added motivation and a surety that this is really what he wants to do for the rest of his life. I know that he needed to be there, and everything worked out so he could. He has wanted to go to Guatemala, ironically, ever since he and Otto were companions. He must have sensed that they'd see eachother again soon.