My Living Experiences has included:
Home until high school
Dorm living in College for 4 years; 1 year with 2 roommates,
3 years with 1 roommate
Sharing a house with 2 roommates for one year
Single Home owner @ 23
I have had what I consider a fair share of shared-living
space. In basic training I roomed with a
wild, loud, rebellious girl. First year
of the Academy I roomed with two girls who became my best friends. They are
people I will never forget and can’t wait to visit when I return to the
States. The small dorm didn’t seem too small for a trio of friends; the light
hearted attitude made sharing easy. It
also helped that we were freshman and thus had to a very particular place for every small thing, from our comforter folded
at the end of each bed to the spacing between our hangers.
After graduation I shared
a house with one of my best guy friends.
He had also found another renter to share the house; there was plenty of
space and we each had our own room and bathroom. Yet, with girlfriends and brothers and
friends coming over, the large space got cramped. I realized I had a tendency to clean up after
everyone. I couldn’t pass the sink full of
dishes or the empty cans scattered about.
The after work activities and pastimes of my housemates and I were very
different; though I loved the boys dearly, I just didn’t feel at home
there. I sought out my own space. 
Labor Day weekend 2008 I found my space. The first night I pulled in to my own garage
and walked into my very own home I felt elated.
It was dark, quite, clean and
mine! J There was something so comforting in knowing
that how I left things, messy or clean (though always clean) is exactly how I
would find it. Home ownership also meant that I could invite people over as I
wanted or needed, I could choose the tv program without worry of boring someone
else, I could wake up to an empty sink and clean dishes! Such a blessing
afforded me the opportunity to rent
out the extra room to friends or strangers in need of a space: I had a friend
stay for her 3 month summer break from a local college and agreed to open it up
for a stranger to stay a week or so…he stayed 9 months! What a great thing to be able to meet others needs in that way.
Though I lived alone, I was certain of my support system. Friends, co-workers, friends I consider
family, and even customers formed a dependable, loyal group. I knew I could count on them…So I did what
any logical person would-I plucked myself
out of that situation and jumped into an 11 month-around the would-mission
trip. My home was sold, my furniture put in storage, my active duty service
completed, my friends thousands of miles away.
In short-my comforts, my support, stretched thin or completely severed. I’m now learning to seek provision and
support elsewhere, from a less tangible but far greater source. Here I am now, 6 months into this journey and
pondering the changes of my living
situations in the past, almost 10 years.
They appear almost drastic when I read them as a list on paper, yet they
all felt natural. Living in a community
that constantly challenges my comforts, my freedom, my independence has
propelled me adapt and rely on the Lord.
Change is a consequence of growth and I’m proud to say I feel myself
still growing and learning through
the transitions of life.
Thanks be to the Grace and Encouragement of our Almighty God to carry
me through!
