Eleven months. That’s quite the time span. Do you know how much can happen in eleven months? A whole lot. A whole heap of a lot. Eleven months ago, I started at CHOC Children’s. Eleven months ago, I started sitting in a different place at church. Eleven months ago, I gained a life-long girl friend. Eleven months ago, I went on my first date. Eleven months ago, I started talking. Did I know I would fall even more in love with my job, when I came to CHOC? Did I know that sitting in a different spot in church, would lead me to one of the most amazing relationships in my life right now? Did I know, that I would be missing out on the wedding, when I became friends with a girl who intimidated me beyond belief? DId I know that a first date, could be so incredibly sweet? Did I know that I would start talking and learn more about myself in eleven months than I had my whole life? Eleven months ago, a lot happened that shaped the next eleven months. Needless to say, eleven months is a long time.
What will happen in the next eleven months? I don’t really know. What I do know, though is that in 2 months, I will head to training camp and my newest niece, Katyn will make her debut. In 5 months, I depart on a journey that’s going to rock my world. In 10 months, I could be spending Christmas in Cambodia. 11 months from now I might have the chance to be in the Philippines, a place that stole my heart 5 years ago. In August, I am heading out on a journey, that I know will change everything. Am I ready?
I don’t know yet, what this trip will bring, I don’t know yet, what to expect and yet I expect so many things. Here below are 11 expectations for this 11 month journey that begins, August 2011.
I expect:
- To be in awe, as my passport is filled with countries I never dared to dream cross
- To miss my job, the people whom I work with, the families I find myself apart of, the littlest miracles who steal my heart.
- To miss my “creature comforts”: my bed, hot showers, Taco Tuesdays
- To miss my friends and all that entails our unique relationships
- To miss my family (the nuclear, my church body, my homegroup)
- To be called way beyond my “comfort zone”
- To be overwhelmed
- To learn by listening to those who have never had the chance to be heard
- To be called to do, that which I do not want to do
- To be broken from the inside, out
- To come to a place of complete surrender and utter devotion
Like I said, I don’t know yet, what to expect and yet, I expect so many things. Would you be willing to follow me on this 11-month journey of expectations, those known and those not yet known? Eleven months. What will the next eleven months hold for you?
