It’s been exactly one year since coming home from the Race.
I returned home with big ideas of what I was going to do. I had experienced the world. I had come face-to-face with God in the darkest of places. I heard from God. I had a plan.
Before I left my squadmates at the airport I remember them all telling me that God was going to reveal to me what He had planned for me. I needed to “sit and be still”. It took me only a week and a half before I became tired of waiting and doing nothing. I started revising my resume, applying to jobs, and began reaching out to old contacts. I was ready and as long as nothing “bad” or “complicated” happened, then I would take that as God’s blessing that I was doing the right thing.
The key word in all of this was “I”. I was ready to be on my own and be independent again. I was ready to bring back everything that I learned and experienced back to the States. What I forgot was that there is no I in team. I thought I was doing it all but God had a hand in everything.
Re-entry for me was not what I expected. I wouldn’t even say that it was a bad experience for me — just different. The first morning I woke up in my own bed, I blasted Ariana Grande because it was too quiet for me. I was bored. There were little thoughts that would enter my head like “wow. there are 4 different bottles of shampoo in my shower.” or “it’s weird to have a fridge that is so full.” There were even some funny moments where my dad would ask me why I was trying to push the limit of going 4 days in a row without showering if I didn’t need to. Don’t worry, I shower more frequently now. 😉
After one month of being home from the Race I had three job offers in two different states. It was a huge boost to my ego especially after not having any experience as a nurse yet. I was also super overwhelmed though with this impending decision that I had to make. Being on the Race made me an external processor. People got so over my indecision that they gave me the line of “pray about it.”
So I did. I decided to stay in Ohio and become a Pediatric Nurse. My family has always been close to me. I really missed them and had already missed a lot of holidays with them. Even though I did things my way, I do believe the Lord blessed this decision.
I was gifted with ten more months with my grandma before she passed. I found a full time day shift nursing job on the school age acute care floor. I found a roommate and townhome to live in within minutes of my family and workplace. These things and more helped solidify that the Lord provides.
This year has been filled with lessons. I learned that blessings come in all sizes. We tend to only see the “big things” and forget that God is always present including the small things. I learned that prayer works. God will answer and sometimes it takes time. The moment I truly felt settled about my decision to stay in Ohio was when my grandma passed. I never could’ve gotten those extra ten months with her if I had decided to move.
All of these lessons I learned here in the States. I didn’t stop learning or experiencing God’s love for me when I returned home. I am still on the missions field. Missions is not just about location. Everyone is in need. Don’t stop listening to God just because you’re comfortable or live in a First World country. Everyone needs Jesus and you can be the one to tell them.
Thank you all for your prayers, support, donations and letters. I am so thankful for these past two years that God has provided and blessed me with because of you.
You can continue to follow my journey loving Jesus and loving others on:
Instagram – ksa_615
Facebook – Kim Armentrout
