I really meant to write a blog around Christmas… and Christmas came and passed and I never wrote a blog. Then I was all "It's fine, I'll write one for the new year and call it something catchy- like 'Fresh Start' or something," and then New Year's came and passed and I never wrote a blog (good thing- that title was not clever). So anyhow, it’s kind of a smorgasbord, but here it is.
reassurance: I have been continually reassured and given peace about this trip. Backpacking for 11 months with a bunch of strangers through 11 countries is definitely the biggest commitment I have ever made, and it's kinda nuts when I think about how comfortable I feel with it. Whether it's in the form of an anonymous $500 donation on Christmas Eve, or $100 dollars from a man I don't even know, or the response I get from people when I tell them, or the support and love I have been receiving from my family and friends, or that still small voice I hear pushing me forward and encouraging me every step of the way, reassurance has been abundant- and I am thankful 🙂
work: Since I moved home in September, I have been running around like a chicken with my head cut off…
Get to go back to work at the wine bar- happy & thankful,
but it’s not enough.
Search frantically for a second job, get hired at a fancy restaurant- hate every second of it,
but still cry when they let me go after 2 ½ish weeks.
Interview for bank teller position, pumped because I am positive it went well.
Job offer never comes.
Getting reeeeaaaal sick of being a stay-at-home not-mom.
Get offered pharmacy technician job- excited! But extremely irritated that it takes over a month to get my background check done, what are they even checking!? Fiiiiinally start work, but hours are cut and I only get 20 a week.
Interview at Starbucks- ELATED.Didn’t get the job.
Continue hunt for a third job.
Find that third job and it’s awwwwful.
Finish all the training shifts, then proceed to quit third job.
Rest.
Re-think third job. Maybe God wants me to just be still and let Him provide and make the way?
Get offered many hours at a few different stores for my pharmacy job; I was able to schedule just about full time hours, and still get to work shifts at the wine bar, AND have Friday’s off for my life group as well as Sunday’s off for church. Dang, God really knows what he’s doing.
friends: I was so sad to come home and have no friends in Rochester. Over the last few months I have developed awesome, God centered friendships with some of the people who will be World Racing with me, some who I haven’t met yet and some who I have gotten to spend time with 🙂 Also, reconnected with an old friend Joy, who I haven’t talked to since shortly after high school- turns out she loves Jesus and we get to continue to grow closer to Him together.
church: Re-discovered a church that I had gone to several times growing up, and am so blessed to be a part of it!
I have been able to spend time reading World Race blogs and watching videos, and with every day I am overwhelmed at the fact that I have this opportunity to go out and do awesome works in Jesus' name. I am so glad that he has chosen me to go into the nations, and is allowing me the desires of my heart at the same time. I can't believe how fast the time is flying by, and that in 6 months I will be on my way!
So, I have much to be thankful for! I am also plotting some more fundraisers, stay tuned to hear more about them! Thank you again everyone for all of you support, I am almost 30% funded! Please keep me in your prayers 🙂
Love, Markelle
