It’s crazy to think that this is my last week in Big Rapids.
The slogan of the town is you’ll love it here and I truly do love it here.
They say that when you were going through something big spiritually the worship songs you were listening to during that time, when heard again will bring you back to that moment.
That’s what Big Rapids does for me. Being here reminds me of all that God has done in just the few short years that I’ve lived in this town.
He has brought me into a deep relationship with Him and taught me about the true meaning of living in Community. Granted, the community I will live in next year will be a little more intense, but these past few years have prepared me with conflict resolution skills, how to love the people well and just how to have fun while glorifying God!
It’s funny to watch people who are new to the faith and to Real Life Campus Ministry watch this group of people be crazy together! My last blog shared pictures of my journey with Real Life, but that doesn’t give it half the justice that should be given. This community has literally changed my life. I wouldn’t be who I am now without it and, well now I’m crying because I’m going to miss them all so much.
I will most likely be back in big Rapids someday, it might just be a visit but it might also be to live here who knows! But, even if God’s plan for me never brings me back here again it would be worth it because I would be living out what He wants me to do.
Plus, seriously the technology we have is awesome and staying in contact is so much easier than it used to be!
To end this blog I will share a few things I’m going to miss in Big Rapids not in any particular order, this is just the tip of the iceberg of what all I will miss from this town!
• Real Life and all of its members, past and present and even future!
• My mentors, all of them! Even the ones who aren’t mentioned!
– Kayla, you have been with me through so much and always point everything back to God. You’ve helped me to mature in my faith and be bold in speaking out what I believe!
-Berny, you were the first person I met at Real Life! You introduced me to so many people and taught me the true beauty in running the connections team. The stories you have shared with me about all of the different ministries you’ve been a part of has been such an encouragement to me in how you have always follow God‘s call!
-And lastly a person who wouldn’t think of herself as a mentor, but as iron sharpens iron being in community with her all of these years she has shaped me into who I am today! Megan! I love you so stinking much and I cannot wait to see the adventurous life you are going to live! I know we will have many more dance parties, maybe even some over seas!
• My Early Childhood Educators friends, we all started at Ferris together but half of us are in different places. I will miss our dinners, our connection over children, and all of your children!!
• Dance parties and putting on fake concerts. They happen more often that you would think!
• Two Hats Ranch. It’s crazy to think that I’m going to miss my job, but the environment that I work in is so awesome I really am going to miss it. It is a deer hunting ranch, bed and breakfast, and place where people can come have parties. Those are just a few of the many uses that the ranch has been used for. I’ve learned how to serve people in ways that I hadn’t expected to do before and learned how I can share God’s love through something as simple as getting someone a glass of water. People come to the ranch to rest and relax and I’ve found it to be a privilege to be a part of their rest and relaxation! I am able to show up at the beginning of my shift happy and end my shift happy!
•Aliyah Lael Loveberry. She wants her own spot on the list and Boss Girl gets what she wants! Living with the Loveberry’s has given me the chance to get to be a part of the beginning of this spunky little girl’s life! I can’t wait to video chat with her and her mama, even though I know she will only be looking at herself in the video…
Every child that had been a part of my life in Big Rapids has left an impact on me, whether they are still here or have moved away!
•The nature. Northern Michigan, as I think of it even though it’s actually in the middle of the lower peninsula, is beautiful. The river that goes through town is awesome for swimming and tubing and just looking at. The woods and hiking trails nearby leave you with endless possibilities of places to go. I should just stop now or else I’m going to sound like a Pure Michigan commercial…
If you can’t tell just from reading this blog Big Rapids has left a huge impact on my life.
When I moved here I had no idea I would end up thinking that I could stay in Big Rapids forever. And when I had the thought that I could stay in Big Rapids forever, I had no idea that God would call me to leave.
It’s sad to be leaving, but as Kristy tells me every time we talk, it’s a good thing that I am leaving and it is something to be excited about even though it is sad.
I am beyond excited for this next year and know God is going to provide at least 11 new “Big Rapids” for me. They won’t be the same, but God has a way of allowing us to feel at home in the places He calls us to!
