On January 12 I began an adventure around the world. It had been a dream of mine since I began college, and it had suddenly come to fruition. I couldn’t have been more excited for this endeavor and for all God would do in that year.
11+ countries and 11 months later and that chapter has come to its last few pages.
This year has been full of adventure and laughs and food and travel and joy and newness and Jesus. It was also full of many bugs and tight living situations and ice cold showers and the same outfits worn over and over and over. There were many firsts and things that I had never imagined doing. I built relationships with people from all over the world, and I fell so much deeper in love with the Lord. I had my perspective drastically changed, and I got to be just one of His lights in this world.
The Lord taught me a lot this year. He reminded me that this life is not about me, but that it is all about Him (John 3:30). He taught me so much about intentionality and pursuing the people that He places in my life. He showed me what it looks like to see His children how He does, and how much grace and patience He has for us every single moment. He reminded me that He is the same God who is in the Bible, and that nothing I do will make Him love me any more or any less because His love transcends my understanding. He taught me how to follow the promptings of the Holy Spirit, and how to walk in the boldness and authority that He has given me as His daughter. I could go on and on about how much I learned this year. But all that to say, I am so grateful for all the Lord did in and through me.
Tomorrow I will board a plane (or 5…) H O M E. I’m feeling all the emotions. Part of me is sad that this season of life is over. I have loved this past year and all that came along with it, and I will miss it. I’ll miss living in different cultures continuously, meeting people from drastically different backgrounds from me, and having a new and exciting adventure every weekend. But, I am also so excited to be home. I have missed my family and friends so much, and I am so ready to be back with them. I’m excited for familiar food and the convenience of being able to drive and ice cubes and my own room.
I’ll be honest and admit that I am also nervous about coming home. This year has been life-changing and I like to think I’m coming home different than when I left. On top of that, life didn’t stop for everyone else this year. I’ve missed a lot of things, and I know not everything will be the same. It will be a weird mix of familiar yet unfamiliar in some aspects, and I know that will take some time and adjustment. I know it is going to be a bit overwhelming. One thing I learned this year was how different American culture is from the rest of the world. I don’t really know how to prepare for all of that, but I am so thankful to be coming back to such a supportive community to walk through that with.
As I come home, know how excited I am to see everyone and catch up! I want to share this year with everyone and want to know what I’ve missed in your lives, as well! Getting back during the holidays, I know it’s the busiest time of the year for everyone, my family included. But after Christmas I would love to meet up and catch up with anyone who wants to! So don’t be afraid to reach out 🙂
I’ve been (semi-jokingly…) calling the next season of life “The Great Unknown”. The Lord hasn’t revealed much about what’s to come for me. Most of the future is just a bunch of open doors and question marks right now. I think previously that would have worried me and stressed me out. But I’ve now experienced a year of the Lord’s faithfulness in a new way and seen Him provide for my every single need. I have this feeling He is just putting His finishing touches on whatever big plans He is orchestrating, and they will be revealed soon enough. I trust in His timing and His plans, knowing they are far better than anything I could try to put together, so I’m expectant for what He has in store!
To finish, I really can’t sum up my whole year in just a few paragraphs. I mean summarizing any year of life with a few words would be challenging, right? Imagine having to do that after a year like this one. Hopefully my blogs throughout the year allowed you to follow along with some of the stand-out moments and lessons I learned. I know I will be faced with the daunting question, “How was your year?!” so many times. Know that I won’t be able to accurately answer that because there is so much more to it than just “Amazing!”. As a helpful tip, one thing that I would so appreciate is if you try to ask me specific questions about my year. It’s hard to know what people want to hear, so that will help me be able to share best!
Thank you so much for following my journey this year. I have been showered with so much love and support by so many people back home. It has been so encouraging to feel that love and prayer being sent my way everyday. So to all of you who have prayed and donated and faithfully joined me on this journey, thank you!! I will see you SOON!
