Wow. I am so amazed at how faithful our God is. I was planning to post a couple blogs about coming home: like what it’s been like at home and now psl but as you see I was slacking. So here we go! Here is a collective blog- my final blog- of my time adjusting back to “normal life” and it has some juicy stuff that I’m jumping out of my seat (metaphorically because I’m strapped into my seat on this airplane right now) to share!!!!! Our God is freaking fantastic!!
Coming home was exhausting and filled with so many emotions. I lived June 1st twice as I crossed the international dateline. I was so excited to see my family but also so sad to leave my WR family of 9 months. I was sick with a sinus infection and drained from some serious lack of sleep and time change. But I was ready for the next adventure! I had been trained to be ready for changing countries these last 9 months. I asked the Lord for total peace as I stepped onto American ground.
As I stepped out of the airplane, I remember feeling safe and overjoyed. I was quickly overwhelmed though by the constant conversation going on in English around me that I could now understand, the multiple races and clothing styles all around me. Everyone “seemed” (at the moment) to be on their phone, in a hurry or being crabby with the people they were with. When I got to In and Out Burger I was so overwhelmed by the amount of people yet all of the people in the fast food mode. I spent that night crying as I sat alone away from the group for the first time in 9 months!! Whoop whoop! Not the crying part, but the alone part. It’s ok, I needed to process and cry. (: Then the next day I flew home and saw my fam! It was such a sweet moment.
I spent the next week seeing people on the first day but then resting and spending time with Jesus and my family the rest of the week. I got rid of a lot of clothes, was overwhelmed by how many groceries we had in the house, and I was so happy to drive my car to Loveland Coffee. The transition was better than I expected but still hard. I had to battle the thoughts: “did the race even happen?” or “did I even grow?” I had to read scripture and remember His truths everyday. I still do and will have to the rest of my life to keep my intimacy strong and my heart full so I can pour out to others. After that week of rest, I started doing more with friends and started my job. I am so excited to be working as a CNA again. It is my new ministry site.
Then I took a trip to North Carolina! I got to spend some time with my girl Mack. We had a blast as she showed me her town and introduced me to her friends. It was strange because I was just getting back to “normal life” at home but then went to North Carolina and was in adventure mode again. Without even really processing it, I showed up at PSL, our final gathering for the race, which kinda gave us space to process away from Home, how being home is and then get some tools on how to tackle this next season of life in America! It was a time for me to get re-centered on the vision He gave me to be present in my home here in Colorado and live a life of unconditional love here as well. And also for the upcoming season of college, the vision he’s given me is to press in and build community there! I loved just hanging out with my squad and doing fun things around Gainesville. We worshipped and encouraged each other. We then said our final goodbyes and finished our WR journey! It was a happy feeling cause I know the Lord has big things ahead of all of us and I can’t wait to see all of it!!
As I got to the airport to fly back home, I had 5 hours to wait and I found myself having some amazing conversations! I got to love on a family from El Salvador and I get to teach the mother English over FaceTime now (thanks WR for preparing me for that!) and I also talked to a young woman for about 2 hours and she gave her heart to Jesus!!! This had me on fire, so excited and expectant for what he has for me back here in America. Gods not done, but simply getting started!! It doesn’t stop here. Intimacy goes deeper and deeper with Him, faith is a constant trust, promises are a constant reminder and living it out to glorify Him is a never ending excitement!!!!
Well, I was on an airplane when I began typing this final blog (of course it’s taken me a week to finish it hehe) and now I’m in a coffee shop, jammin to the song “Brand New.” I’m feeling blessed and thankful to be here. As I’ve been working this last week I’ve seen the Lord show up in some incredible ways! One of my residents even gave his heart to Jesus!! I love serving these people. I love serving this lovely family of mine. I love serving my friends. I love sitting for hours on end in this coffee shop with my Jesus. Life is pretty neat. He is doing BIG things all around me and I’m so grateful that IT DOESN’T STOP HERE!!!
Alrighty folks, this is my final WR blog. If there’s anything I want to say, it’s a huge thank you for your support. I know the Lord has been working through this blog and through me/in me in all of these countries on the Race. All the credit goes to Him. This journey has been a dream since I was 12 and I’m so thankful to have been given the opportunity to make it a reality!!! Thanks for doing life with me Y’all. I encourage y’all to keep seeking His face daily. This life is a precious one so keep living boldly, dreaming big and living each day to the fullest!!!
