It has been a long time since I blogged here.
For those who do not know, I was able to meet my squad in Cambodia back in May. It was supposed to be a surprise, but secrets are quite hard to keep on the race and word got out. My time with them in Cambodia was amazing. I spent more time flying to and from Cambodia than I actually spent in the country, but being back with my people in one of my favorite countries was worth every second of flying and waiting in airports.
When I got back to the states in May I spent a few weeks in North Carolina and Georgia. I got to see my best friend and help plan some things for her wedding (that is one week from today!!). I got to worship at Adventures and spend time among people who understand me without me having to explain anything. I stayed in Georgia for the Project Searchlight of my squad and listened as they shared with me their next steps. Being reunited was so special and I am so glad I got to be there for that.
Most of my time in Georgia was spent reflecting on everything that has happened in the last four years since I decided to go on the race. I remembered all the times God provided and the specific ways he called me to different things. It was a sweet time and it felt like a piece of my heart was coming home. Part of what I desired most when I got back from squad leading last December was to live in Georgia. I wanted to live in the mountains of north Georgia. But God said no, something better was coming. Then I thought maybe I could move to the west coast and head out to the Seattle/Portland region. Again, God said no, something better was coming. As I spent time in Georgia agin in June, I couldn’t help but wonder what it was that was coming. I couldn’t imagine anything better than living in Georgia. I certainly didn’t believe that those plans involved heading back to Michigan and settling in there.
God is sneaky though. One day I was praying and I said “God if you want me to go back to Michigan, I will go… but I need to get out of my county. I need to be somewhere where I can have a job and friends and a good church to be a part of.” Within two days of that prayer, I had potential roommates. Within seven days of that prayer we had a house. Within nine days of that prayer we signed a lease for a house. Those nine days involved lots of roller coaster moments and lots of prayer. But it was totally worth it. I got back to Michigan and felt a peace here that I haven’t felt in Michigan for years. For once I didn’t feel like I was going to suffocate or waste my life. I didn’t feel like I was going back to heaviness and spiritual conflict. I felt hope. I felt grace. I felt good to be back without plans to leave again.
So on July 4th, I moved into a house with two girls I had never met before, in a town where I knew no one. I had no job, no church, and no friends besides my roommates. Within three weeks I found an amazing church to go to where I can be connected and will be leading some things starting in the fall, I got a job, and I am still working on the friends thing, but I am not worried about that. For the past seven weeks, I have been working as a chiropractic assistant. I work the front desk, open/close, take people back to the rooms, keep everything nice and neat in the office. It is challenging for me, but I am starting to get the hang of it. It was weird getting back into a routine for work, especially one that doesn’t change. During a conversation with my boss, she said that this job is something she wants me to be in long term. She wants me to succeed and do well and be around for a while. Originally that thought scared me. But the more I thought about it, the more I was comforted by it. I am putting down roots in a place for the first time since I graduated from college. I am investing in people and places and yes my life is a routine. I do live on a street where there are picket fences. My neighbors are living their American Dream, with 2.5 kids and a dog and nice cars and nice houses. I live around the corner from a Porsche dealership. I live just a few minutes from anything and everything one could ever need or want. It still trips me up sometimes to think about it. But I am so extremely thankful. Just as the race was learning how to abandon things, this is about learning how to add certain things back into my life. Some, I am good at doing gradually, some I am not. But as long as I keep my soil fresh and my roots watered, growth will come.
That has been my life for the last couple of months. In February, I will begin taking classes to become a licensed Massage Therapist. It is a dream of mine and I cannot wait to pursue it. Until then, I am just going to keep living my life and being thankful that Jesus has given me hope where I thought there was none and helping me be present in my life exactly where I am.
I don’t know if I will continue to use this blog. I might start a new one of my own… I’m not sure yet. I’ll keep you posted on that. If you would like to be praying for me in this season of my life here are a couple specific things you can pray for:
-A new car that I can afford. My current car is seriously on its dying breath. I worry almost every time I get in it that it won’t turn on or that it will overheat or any other number of things. So also pray that until I can get a new car that I can afford, my car will hold out.
-A computer. I haven’t had a computer in months and while my cell phone works to do most things, I will need a computer for school in February.
-Friends. I currently still don’t really have any friends other than my roommates. I have met a few people, but none that I would consider to be my friends yet. This is a big deal for me and I just need some good solid friendship.
-My job. That I can continue to grow and learn and do well. That I take the joy of the Lord into my job and that frustration doesn’t hang around easily.
That’s all for now. This roots business is not easy, but I am excited to see what God can teach me during this time.
Much love,
-A
