In the last blog post, I shared that the busy season I have been in has exhausted me. But throughout this busy season, I have seen the Lord showing His work & His hands in unique ways. I’ve seen his handiwork in my life through my jobs, in my free time, and through community I’ve been able to form throughout the past year.
For the past two years, and honestly more, my grandma has lived with us at home. At this point she is 100% bed ridden and non-verbal. Some days we think she will live for months to come, and some it seems she won’t live until the next day. I’ll spare you the nitty-gritty details, but it has been exhausting to live with. In January, I got a job as a CNA (nurse aide) with a home health care company. I was nervous at first, because it feels like I can’t handle anymore taking care of other people. But the company specialized in pediatric care, so I had a younger patient. Although the patient was also non-verbal, it was rejuvenating to see the patient show their personality throughout the time we spent together. Although the patient was very, very young instead of old, it was comforting to see them well taken care of by the family, and that they allowed their personality to shine although they were honestly, incapacitated. It probably sounds weird to you all, but it was comforting to me in a time when I’m dealing with a close family member degrading so slowly.
I’ve also been really enjoying spending time outdoors doing Bible studies. When I don’t have to work until the afternoon, I do Bible studies in the morning. My old church has an online course about “awakening your spirit” and I found another lengthy Bible study on the cycle of shame, fear, and control. I’ve also uncovered a plethora of incredibly awesome scripture throughout the process. I journal the scripture in crazy colors, listen to the wind blowing and the birds singing, drink coffee out of my fancy French press, and enjoy life. It’s a good time.
As I mentioned earlier, I had three jobs plus an internship in my last semester of grad school. Exhausted is an understatement. Thankfully, I’ve been able to let go of two of those jobs, plus the internship, and of course I don’t have anything left regarding school. (Yup, that’s right!!! I quit two jobs before traveling for an entire year) At this point, I am thankful that the Lord gave me the opportunity to work so much, because it allowed me to jump start the fundraising. And even more so, the Lord allowed me to quit those two jobs so I can make some more time for the people that I love, and rest.
Now that I have all of these things down on paper, I’m sure it doesn’t look like a lot to an outside eye. But the Lord has been working in my heart & in my life an extra amount the past couple of months. The Lord has been guiding me in study as I’m trying to press into self-introspection, He’s worked some crazy miracles through fundraising, and has given me the rest that I have been needing as I’m coming out of this crazy time period called grad school.
SO…
Only 2 weeks until training camp, another fundraising deadline of $10,000 on July 20, and dependent upon fundraising, I am scheduled to leave in August.
Please be in fervent prayer for my squadmates and I as we head into training. Be praying that we will bond, break down walls we have up around our hearts, and continue to be open to the incredible journey that the Lord has called us on.
Thanks everyone!!!
