Memories are funny things…
I can be walking in my house, standing in the shower,
driving down the road, or working in my restaurant and vivid memories of the
last year just drop into my head. And
heart. Welcomed, but uninvited. I don’t’ know what triggers them
usually. I see things clearly, feel
emotions again, and thank the Lord for such an amazing opportunity. I have gone back to Antiqua, Guatemala;
Morrumbala, Mozambique; Buenos Aires, Argentina; Gordon’s Bay, South Africa;
and all the other places. I have felt
like I was walking down the streets again, ready to meet someone and say hello
in a language that is becoming less and less foreign. I love these moments of stepping back into time.
But I am here, at home.
Missing my teammates, my sisters and brothers in Christ with whom I was
so close during that time. Missing the
adventures of traveling the world, and facing all the unpredictable twists and
turns, taking them in stride, and laughing.
As much as I miss the people, the places and the adventure,
I am embracing the place God has brought me for now. It is a journey so different than before, but not lacking in
unpredictable twists and turns that I am taking in stride with joy. I can say that I now live with a greater joy
and willingness to jump into something a little unsure, because I know that
God’s got my back, and nothing that faces me is ‘the end of the world.’ Things not going as planned don’t mess with
my sense of peace like they used to, and I do actually laugh at them, even if
the situation gets a little frustrating.
The pace of life here is different…the balances of life and
priorities very different than on the race, but no less important. Here I am 3 months back in the states still
working out how to keep up with the rapid speed of American life – planning
schedules weeks and months in advance, instead of one or two days. I think I’m finally get a hold of it, having
jumbled around schedules for two jobs, and feeling overwhelmed to now feeling
like I’m not working enough. I’ll get
it worked out soon.
I will be spending the next few weekends attending my
younger siblings’ (Hannah, Karyssa and Daniel) show choir competitions in
various parts of Iowa and even one in Minnesota. For those who are unfamiliar, Show Choir is a sport of its own –
the kids (highschool) sing and dance amazing numbers and compete against other
schools. It’s incredibly fun and
entertaining to watch, and I’m as proud as a mother (well, almost probably) of
my sisters and brother. I am loving
being a part of their lives right now, even though it means working less and
making less money. In years past, its
been hard for me to choose to NOT make money when it was an option, but not so
much anymore. I know that God will provide,
as I am obedient. I am seeing the fruit of choosing His ways over my own. I love life this
way! So many fewer worries when I’m believing
God.
