What have I been up to lately, well a blog post wouldn’t do it justice. But unfortunately for us, this is the medium we are working through today.
On August 19th (a Sunday night), my parents came into my room and told me my mom had filed for divorce. Initially, I was heartbroken that my world was shattering and then I quickly realized that there was a choice in front of me to make. After a quick google search, I found that school started on Wednesday and if I had to return to school, I’d have to leave the next day. Which was literally 12 hours hours away. In that moment, I realized the gravity of the decision I was facing. To stay state side or to leave for the race.
After a lot of tears and conversations with my dad and my race Squad leader, I realized that the race was going to be greatest spiritual, physical, and emotionally challenging experience I would ever face. And I couldn’t have my head in Chicago while I was in the rough of Africa or the middle of nowhere India. Ultimately, we decided that it would be best to stay stateside so that I could be present for Abby through this major family transition and to be able to be present for my folks.
This decision has rocked my world in a nine-point Richter scale kind of way. I moved into my apartment that Monday, registered for classes Tuesday, and started class at nine a.m. Wednesday morning. All the Glory goes to God as I was able to register for classes, find a place to live and move all within in 24 hours. Also shout out to Mom and Dad for helping me throw my life into suitcases so quickly!!!
So this year I’m back at the best school in the country, watching Nick Saban crush all of your college football favs and starting the first semester of my core public relations courses! The last three weeks have been beyond tough and it would have been so much harder if I was walking through this alone. I have been leaning into John 16:33 lately,”I have said these things to you, that in me you have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
He conquered the world and He is conquering this too. I have been blessed with a community of friends and family that are so good to me and that was His doing. Maybe at this point in my life, Jesus wants me home with Abby, grinding out this degree, and maybe just playing tourist. While it might not be what I would prefer or what I thought my life was going to look like, that’s what I think He is telling me to do. For the first time in my life, I feel like I’m listening to what the Lord wants me to do. And maybe being a tourist or studying abroad could be exactly what I need, or maybe Jesus would just rather I not lose more body parts overseas! I don’t know but I’m happy not knowing, and for once take true solace in knowing He’s got it allll under control up there.
So this is the last blog I’ll be posting on here, which breaks my heart more than it breaks yours. But I promise to be communicative if I decide to live out of a pack for eleven months and I also promise to vlog next time!
All my love.
