I really am coming home.
6.8.12
Processing what lies ahead….
So for the past week or so I have been realizing this reality; I really AM coming home. Now as we are halfway through our 11 month of new countries, new faces, new assimilations to cultures, and languages…this seems to now be my normal. Pack my bags, travel days, living out of a backpack, unknowns: all my normals. Now I have to face a new and in some ways greater change; going home. This has been a life transforming journey where my faith has been tested, my character molded, and my life ahead changed forever. This “unknown” can be a little intimidating; not knowing how will I relate the last 11 months to the people around me at home? How will I begin to explain to some in a word or two what has happened? Will some even care to hear about my experiences or about what the Lord has done in my heart and life? I don’t really know these answers. I do know that the Father is going before me. In 18 days I will be on a flight home and I am excited beyond belief to be on U.S. soil again and to see family & friends! I know my world will look much different when I come home. During this journey the Lord has put home on my heart; my family & where I grew up.
As some of you may know I used to live in Charlotte, NC for 3 years before coming on the World Race and that is where my church family is. I am going to have to readjust and start all over again to find a new community of believers. There are so many passions the Father has ignited and I am so excited to get out there and continue to be Jesus’ hands and feet in the U.S. I know there is only good ahead & the Lord’s plans are always plans to prosper and not to harm; they are so good.
I really hope to still remain in contact with my Charlotte sisters & brothers; I will be making a visit there at the end of July as I make my way to or back from the project searchlight conference in Gainesville. I piece of my heart doesn’t know how I won’t go back to Charlotte as I really fell in love with being there; God worked so much in my life during the 3 years I lived there.
When I get home…
What will my friendships look like? Community? How will I react to actually being able to hear English conversations around me? To go to a grocery store and to be able to read the labels? U.S. Currency after seeing 11 others? American Food?! Family. The Busy “American” culture & life is so much different than what I have been experiencing. It is almost time where 2 way different worlds will collide; American culture and the cultures of 11 different countries around the world. Jesus will be the thread that ties this all together.
I have leaned that HOME is wherever God calls me…and I will embrace that reality ahead; living for each day, listening for that call…This world is not my home; I have an inheritance awaiting me that God will bring which always brings peace; this promise and inheritance can not be taken away by this world.
Remembering that the Lord goes before my every step brings me comfort. The Lord keeps speaking Joshua 1:9 to me and my heart is at ease:
“Have I not commanded you? Be Strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go”.
