Wow wow wow, where to even begin. Well, I’m back in Virginia. Sometimes I find it hard to believe that it all really happened and I’m back to a place I was before the race; almost as if it didn’t happen.
Re-entry. That was a buzz word that began floating around towards the end of the race. Before retruning to Virginia, I spent a few weeks in Tijuana, Mexico, a place that has become one of my homes. It was the perfect transition ground between a developing country and returning to the States- and wouldn’t ya know God planted a missionary in Tijuana who is also a past racer! So I got to connect with her and begin the process of re-intergrating from the race. (Shout out to Damaris if you’re reading this!)
Prior to begining the race, I had NO idea what would be next. But I anticipated that it would be something new- a new place, a new season, a new job. So I was a little suprised when in month 5 in Ghana, I felt God give me the nudge to return to Virginia. I reached out to my former employer and they were very excited to reserve a position for me when I returned. But instead of sharing in the excitement, I was hit with the feeling of OH NO WHAT DID I JUST DO????
Immediately though, I felt God reassure me that I would need this after the race. A place that is familiar, where I have a community, a time to process and to get ready for whatever is next. And now that I have been here for 2 months, all I can say is WOW HE WAS SO RIGHT.
And super side note here, I vividly remember a time when Virginia was still a new place to me. My first year was hard. I was a fresh graduate in a new city. I felt overwhelmed in my job and disconnected from my peers. It was a lonely place. I told the Lord, If You’re going to keep me here, then I need community. That was six years ago. Being back in Virginia is a reminder of how He has RICHLY answered that. Virginia has also become one of my homes. I have a church that I love, dear friends, a family that houses me, and employers that welcome me back each time I come through. Wow, He’s just so faithful.
And I’m especially thankful for this reminder going forward into the next step. So then, what is next??
Glad you asked.
Also in month 5, God revealed another step. One day my friend told me about one of her friends who had just completed a medical missions program. Instantly, my attention was piqued. I even had the sense right then that this was next step for me. This was the same sense that I had and followed when I went to nursing school, when I moved to Virginia, when I moved to Mexico, and when I applied for the Race.
Although I had that same sense, I didn’t want to jump the gun, so I kept it on the back burner and continued on in the race. Month 10 though, it came right back up to the forefront of my mind. Again, I wanted to be SURE that this was the right step. I spent the weeks immediately following the race asking the Lord about it. His resounding response to me was “Liz, you already know.”
And so with that, I applied. and I’ve been accepted! So here are the details- This is a six month program based in Australia. The first three months will be spent in the classroom with a focus on deepening my own walk with Lord coupled with providing holistic care for individuals in rural and urban settings. The second three months will be spent applying the training through ministry in Nepal. (!!!!) This training also has the potential to stretch into a year, but I’m just taking it one step at a time here.
I’m particulary excited about this direction. When I was about 15 or 16 years old, I felt God give me a specific call for medical missions. Many times I tried to figure it all out; mapping out plans and configuiring time frames but at the end of the day I realized I just couldn’t put it together myself. If this truly was a calling He had for me, if would happen in His timing and His way.
So here we are. I’m excited, but ya know, this is a little scary. Ok, a lot scary. I mentioned earlier about having “a sense”; it’s a leading that I have learned to refer to as the Holy Spirit. He’s moved me to new states, new countries, and now a new continent. Even though I find myself thinking at times WHAT AM I DOING?!? I gotta say, over the last 18 years, He’s had a good track record so far and has only brought me to good places. So I’m going to keep trusting His lead.
I’ll be moving to Australia this coming July. (That sounds so unreal!) In the meantime, I’ll be in Virginia working in order to build up some funds, and also preparing for this transition.
I’m not planning on fundraising this time around, but if you feel led to help a sister out, you can follow the link below and just make sure to include my name in the memo <3
https://secure.ywamperth.org.au/payments/
(Elizabeth Taglianetti)
