R.I.P.

It is with a heavy heart that I inform you all of my recently departed nose ring. (Yes, Papa, I have had my nose pierced for almost a year now.) The field director recently arrived and she told me and Haley that this is a very conservative culture and we might want to consider taking them out. It was entirely left up to us though. I decided to keep it but I wanted to see what the family I am staying with thought. I asked the pastor if he was offended by it and if he would like me to take it out. He said he wasn't and that it was up to me. He said another might have an issue with it but he and his family were okay because they know it is part of our culture. All I needed to hear was that it might be an issue for someone else and out it came. Now there is just a gaping hole where once stood my shining little symbol of the new life I have been living. I hope it heals up quickly so I am not reminded of it every time I look in the mirror. Right now it feels monumental, but I do realize how insignificant it is in the grand scheme of life. If this is my biggest sacrifice, then I think I will make it. :}