It’s been 5 months since I last blogged and in those last 5 months a lot has happened so let’s catch up!
I traveled back home at the end of May
Relished sleeping in my bed again after a year
Ate my fair share of Lou Malnati’s
Felt insanely overwhelmed the first time I entered Bed, Bath and Beyond
Relearned how to drive (I’m probably more of a menace on the road now than ever before)
Left home on several road trips (and took advantage of being in control of pit stops)
Visited and caught up with friends and family
Managed to not stay one place any longer than 3 weeks at a time (until recently)
Became a bit reclusive
Enjoyed and mourned my solitude
Missed being surrounded by people who knew what I was going through without my having to even explain it
Spent a month working random cleaning, dog sitting and babysitting jobs in Zionsville, IN while commuting back to Chicago on the weekends
Packed my car with most of my belongings
Said goodbye to my parents once again and moved out to Gainesville, GA in September
Spent my first week out here camping in the woods of South Carolina along the Chattooga River after hiking 11 miles (I swear it felt like 1974820934782 miles)
Since then I’ve started my classes and apprenticeship as a part of AIM’s Center for Global Action (CGA)
Now, most of you may know what CGA is and why I’m here, but for those of you who don’t here’s a bit of info: The Center for Global Action is a program developed by AIM for World Race Alumni. The purpose is to help develop and activate us into our callings through community, discipleship and apprenticeship. So, how exactly does this look for me?
I’m living in a house with 7 incredible women, our 2 house parents and their baby! Yep we have a house baby and she’s stinkin’ adorable! I spend my mornings in my apprenticeship at the AIM offices in the Adventures for Life department (Alumni Department) and I absolutely love it. We spend our afternoons in classes such as – Discover Your Calling, Spiritual Formation, Living Word and Women Who Can. We are each a part of a mentorship group and are also mentored one on one by this same person.
To be honest I wasn’t so sure I wanted to move here when I returned home from the Race. I knew when I arrived back in Chicago that I was going to be leaving 3 ½ months later, and it was hard. It was hard to ache to reinvest and yet know that I was going to move half way across the country so soon. Being back in Chicago made it so hard to leave again, I saw the incredible need and didn’t understand why I couldn’t just stay and do ministry there. I didn’t understand why God wanted me to leave again, and when I found myself in the middle of the woods in South Carolina four weeks ago I was really confused. Don’t get me wrong it was absolutely beautiful but I couldn’t think of a place more opposite of where I thought I should be. And that’s exactly what God showed me – It’s not about where I think I SHOULD be, It’s about where HE CALLS ME. He asked me during my time in the Woods to lay down all my plans, to trust Him again and follow where HE leads. I’m such a control freak that this just seems to be such a constant reminder for me, but I’m so grateful for His patience, grace and constant reminders. His reminders that His plans are so much better than mine and that following Him hasn’t always been easy but always worth it… so worth it.
So here I am four weeks later – living in a small town in Georgia and it has been an absolute breath of fresh air. Sure this past month hasn’t been a piece of cake, but I’m surrounded by such incredible community, I’ve been so encouraged, poured into and empowered it’s been a huge blessing. I feel such an incredible peace about being here, I know it’s where I called to this season and I’m so grateful for that. Sure, I may not know what’s next and for once that’s perfectly ok with me!
Love you all!
-Jess
P.S. My season as a part of CGA is support raised and I am so grateful to each and every one of my donors (one time and monthly) because of you all, my year here is fully funded!!!!!!!!
