Hi everyone!!
Wow it’s been a while since I have written a blog! Don’t you worry because I am about to catch you up in this blog!
Ok so I as I was leaving the race, I was filled with such a mix of confusing emotions. I was extremely sad that I would have to say bye to the family of 50+ that I had been living with for a year. I couldn’t imagine life without these amazing people. At the same time I was extremely ready to be home and wayyy overdue for a ginormous hug from my family (and my dog, Cooper, of course) and friends at home. I was welcomed home by a wonderful group of family and friends. When I finally reached them at the end of the hall there were many tears and hugs. I couldn’t believe I had made it.
<First hug at the airport!>
<My amazing welcome home group>
<This is who was waiting for me at home!!>
I couldn’t believe the year was at an end. A year filled of some of the best days of my life…and some of the hardest, but none of those would I take back for anything. Even through the toughest days, I learned my biggest lessons and saw God the most. I have never felt God’s love more during those times and through my squad and support system at home. I don’t ever feel like I can thank everyone enough for the support that they have been.
Sooooo what’s next????!?!? This is one of the most common questions I am asked. For a few months after being home I honestly didn’t know. It was really hard for me to wrap my mind around what I would do with my life after a trip like that. I was able to enjoy the Christmas season and spend the whole month of December catching up with friends and family. It was such a beautiful time to be back with my family.
<Christmas with the family>
<Vacation with the fam!>
January rolled around and the thoughts of finding a job started becoming a bit more frantic in my mind, but I thought I would hold off until after I went to Searchlight. Searchlight was a time for my squad and I to re-unite together and with the other squads who returned the same time we did. This program, in Georgia, was to help us get thinking about what’s next. I went into that week just wanting to be there to see my friends and somewhat closed off to any ideas that would come up. I was currently set on the thought that I was going to stay put at home, work, and eventually move out on my own. Well…of course God had different plans that week. My stubborn mindset was changed and I started thinking about CGA.
What is CGA you might ask? Well it stands for Center for Global Action (www.adventures.org/GlobalAction/). It is basically a school/training program that Adventures and Mission heads up. It has numerous different tracks that people can choose from to help further the pursuit of their Kingdom dreams and the things they feel God calling them to do. Throughout all last year I felt called to leadership. I am not sure where God is taking me on this one but it’s something I feel called to pursue. So in September, I am moving to Gainesville, Georgia to do a leadership track for 4 months. This will give me further training and experience in that area while living in a community of people also doing CGA. I am very excited, but nervous at the same time!! Committing to doing this could mean eventually leading a trip, going overseas again, working in Gainesville, going back home, etc. The opportunities are crazy!
I find that not knowing things means that we have faith in God’s plan for us. If we knew every detail of what was going to happen in the future then we wouldn’t need to trust God. Sometimes I doubt whether this is the right next step for me or not. What I do know is; I am more afraid of saying no and not jumping outside my box to see what’s out there, so this time I’m saying YES again.
Thanks again to everyone who has been supporting me this whole journey!
