One more country to go.
That’s what I’m thinking as I sit here writing this. I’m looking at what and whom I am surrounded by. I am sitting on a concrete porch, looking at a dirt soccer field surrounded by corn and a school building in the distance. I’m surrounded by kids laughing, kids singing and I have a puppy on my lap. My team is inside laughing, cooking and playing some tunes.
I am now twenty years old. Last year at this time I never thought I’d be sitting in Malawi, Africa after already having been to four other countries. My life has become drastically different because of this. I’ve learned how to engage with the people around me, read my bible with intention and choose to trust what’s going on. I have had many ups and downs on this race. Between people and life events happening back home I’ve had to learn to grow and stand strong. God has been doing crazy things in my life and spirit.
Others on my squad have seen and even been apart of miraculous healings and things of that nature. Although I have yet to be apart of or witness such, the things I have been able to be apart of have given me new perspective and greater faith.
My self confidence has grown over these past months. I’m no longer afraid to be myself. Or sing out loud surrounded by people. I’m losing weight and getting In better shape than I have been. There are still things I’m working on in spirit and mind but I’m making good progress. Last year at this time I was working a job I was beginning to hate as a customer service representative. And now I’m having the time of my life in a country I never thought I’d ever visit. Life is crazy that way. I can never answer the question of “where do you see yourself in five years?”, because I have no clue what the next year will look like. Whether new people come into my life or my occupation changes, or my interest become more important or get put on the back burner; I never want to know what I’m going to be because I want to take the opportunities given to me in these moment. These little moments I’m learning to choose into is what got me here. I’m excited to see where the next little opportunities will take me.
A lot of people have told me that turning twenty is going to change things. But I never believed it; Until now. The other day I began looking at apartments and vehicles and living expenses randomly in he middle of the day. I realized it and thought “What the heck?” I’m so excited to get back home and implement the things I’ve learned all while continuing to learn how to be an adult. I’m excited to figure out how to support myself and make a living.
This next year is going to be a lot of fun. But it’s also going to be a lot of work. But I’m ready for it, in fact; I welcome the challenge.
So hear as I sit. Looking forward and looking back at my life. I am ready for the next challenge and the next milestone.
Bring it on.
