What a crazy feeling it is to be back home in the states. It almost feels like the past 11 months were just a dream and I never actually left my parent's back deck. I have to ask myself "was it really just months ago that I was living in Africa?!" Thankfully, I've got 2 filled journals, thousands of pictures, and about a million thoughts to prove that I did actually go on The World Race. Also, the fact that I walk into a grocery store and immediately get overwhelmed because not only are there actually oreos on the shelves, but there's like 5 different kinds to choose from! Before the race, I would have walked by the oreos with no interest at all…now seeing them feels like finding a hidden treasure!
I am surprised at how quickly I was able to adjust back to the modern comforts that America has to offer. I wasn't tempted to go outside and hand wash my laundry…or find a bucket of cold water to bathe with. I wondered how or if I would ever get back into the habit of showering more than once or twice a week, but when there's a hot shower presenting itself to you, it's not hard to say yes to it. I was shocked to see how styles have changed. Hot pink jeans – really?!
I was thankful for the opportunity to speak at New Song Church a week after arriving home. I feel like I have an endless amount of processing the things I saw and experienced, and it really does help being able to organize my thoughts and talk about them to an attentive audience. I hope to have more opportunities to share my experiences with others.
Now, when I imagined writing this blog, my "I'm back at home and this is what it's like" blog, I imagined still living at my parent's house, resting and adjusting, while preparing for the next journey. I didn't think I'd be writing this from the remote wilderness of Alaska. But here I am. After about a week of resting and adjusting, I got ansy. It is hard to sit still when you've just returned from a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity with just a few bucks to your name and a planned move to a new city to start culinary school. And so I prayed. The next day I found myself applying to a job in Alaska at a wilderness adventure lodge that can only be reached by float plane. By the end of the day, I had been offered the job and plans were set to fly up in 5 days. I went to bed that night wondering what had just happened. God knew exactly what He was doing though, and I can see His love for me all over this opportunity. I am working and living with a great staff. The view from my "office" includes snow-capped mountains, a lake, trees, wildflowers, and plenty of wildlife. The chef and pastry chef at this lodge have been nice enough to let me glean off of them. I get to spend my free time hiking, kayaking, playing my guitar, and having quiet time with God. And, the salary I will earn over the summer will cover all my moving expenses and then some. I can't help but wake up every morning in this place and say "thank you, God!"
Before I left for Alaska, I was able to make a quick stop in Portland, where I will be living, working, and going to school come fall. I got to tour my school and try on my chef uniform. I got to see the school restaurant that I will be working in my 3rd term of school. I had to refraim from jumping up and down and/or peeing my pants in excitement during the visit. It made it so real. I can't wait to go down this road and see what God has in store for me. If it's anything like this past year has been (and I know it will be) it's going to be wild. One impactful thing I remember reading in The Shack was that when we think of our future we rarely put God in there too, and that is why we fear the future. I know that's true in my life, that I start to imagine everything that could go wrong if I pursue certain things that may seem risky. The future that I envision now has God all over it, working out every intricket detail, and paving the way. I know that He'll take the dream He's given me and turn it into a reality.
So that is where I am at now. I'm not so freaked out about this roller coaster ride though. My hands aren't clenched onto the safety bar out of fear of something going wrong. I've got my arms up in freedom and I'm shouting "woohooo!"
