Friends, family, and supporters I’m sorry for not updating sooner. It has been hard to put anything into words!
A few ways I would like to describe how home has actually been in response to what I thought I would be like in my last blog.
- Awkward. Yes, this was true! I have tried sitting in the wrong side of the car and wore flip flops in a clean shower forgetting I didn’t need them anymore! Sometimes, I don’t know what to ask people so I find myself asking how was your year? I couldn’t find the correct currency at one point because the coins feel different. I did have a hard time speaking English for a while. It turns out regarding fashion; everyone wears bright colorful pants which I called Thai pants now in America. I should have kept them!
- Emotional. I can’t explain how I feel because I really don’t know. My heart has been split in so many different ways this past year with falling in love with so many people and countries. I am so excited to have been able to spend time with family, friends, my church, and my boyfriend. Yet, often times my mind wanders back to the people around the world wondering how they are doing. On the mission field, we didn’t have time to process anything as we simply kept going and serving. Everything I saw felt so normal because we experienced it with a group of forty six of us. However, now the Lord keeps showing me how much suffering I truly saw.
- Exciting. It has been a blast catching up with friends and family and being able to communicate not only in person but also over a cell phone more regularly.
Incredible blessings from the Lord since I have returned… No I am not speaking of the prosperity Gospel where God will just give you good things if you believe in Him. However, I do feel as though if the Lord calls you to something to further His kingdom, He will make the way. So I’m going to take a few words to praise Him on how He has worked out my coming home WAY easier than I thought….
- Family. I wanted to see all of them. Problem. They live all over the East coast! We were able to all get together in NJ because they all flew to come see me!
- My boyfriend’s parents came to visit me! I wanted to go to Michigan, but they decided to make the twelve hour drive to see me! It was an incredible weekend.
- Car. My car was staying at my sister’s house for the past year. My incredible family put the license plate back on, bought me a new car battery, bought my windshield wipers, and waxed my car! It was ready to come back home to!
- Living. I have two friends who needed to leave town for about two months for work and were looking for a house sitter. They left one week before I came in town. Without much money, I wouldn’t have been able to afford rent anywhere until I settled down. Well, I have been living at their beautiful home the past month and have one more while I take care of their house and pets!
- Future Living. After two months at my friends’ house, I knew I would need a place to stay. After praying about it, my pastor told me a friend I had met right before the Race at my church was looking for a roommate. They were going to move into a 3 bedroom house and pray for a third roommate close the area that I wanted to live. I was praying and had a vision for a three bedroom house close to downtown but didn’t know how it would work. We are currently looking for a house!
- Career. The day I got home, I had two phone interviews and two job offers right on the spot. I am currently teaching in downtown Fayetteville, my favorite part of Fayetteville. I am teaching first grade, the age I love. It is not a typical public school; it is a public charter school that is beautiful. I get to tie in arts into the daily curriculum because it is a performing arts school! The staff is incredible there. I am so happy!
- Expenses. My little brother is getting married on November 1st! I am blessed to be able to be a bridesmaid! However, I was nervous about finances for a dress. Someone anonymously knew that I would be coming home without much and paid for it! THANK YOUso much if you are reading this!
- People sent me some personal cash for when I got home to adjust back to life. People have helped financially get me grounded again back in America. I couldn’t have done it otherwise!
- People sent me some personal cash for when I got home to adjust back to life. People have helped financially get me grounded again back in America. I couldn’t have done it otherwise!
Thank you so much to all of you who have helped me adjust back to America. Thank you for your understanding and patience with my time and emotions. Thank you so much for your support throughout this entire journey. I can’t wait to have more time to spend with so many of you!
