This summer has been awesome! God has been so much a part of everything I've done. Walking into the summer I wasn't sure what to expect. I was anything but excited, I had so many doubts and was just ready to fast forward through summer. Despite my attitude God as always has been so faithful.
This summer for the first time since graduating I finally had some sort of consistency in a schedule. It was still super flexible, but compared to what the last 12 months had been I had a schedule. All of a sudden I went from having no job to having multiple jobs, which at times seemed crazy but it has been such a blessing. I have had enough work to keep me busy and to challenge me and yet I've still been able to travel on the weekends and spend time with people. Admin work at a church wasn't necessarily something I ever thought I would do, but I love it. I've really enjoyed being on that side of it. It has been an interesting time in the life of that church to say the least and my job is evolving and changing as the churches make some changes but I am eager and anticipating great things to come. I am SO thankful that I still have a job. And I'm thankful that I still get to work with the people that I've only begun to get to know. A few things I've learned through this transition and this job: patience, diligence, and embracing the unknown.
I've had several visitors this summer, which I've loved! I absolutely love hosting people. It has been so good to have friends around when they are in town. I'm so grateful for my bigger apartment with the space to do that. Not only have I had visitors but I've gotten to travel and visit a lot of people. This is something I'm kind of limited to during the year so it has been so nice to take the opportunity and go see friends and family. God has placed incredible people in my life and while some of them I see and talk to often, others I don't get to see or talk to as much but the times when we do get to are always so special. I try and tell the people I care about often how much they mean to me, but I feel like I never truly can express to them how encouraging they are to me and how much they mean to me. I'm so grateful for each and every one of them. For the new friendships, the old friendships, and the restored friendships. This has been a part of my summer where I have really seen God at work. Some things I've learned through this: love, grace, and redemption.
This summer I've also had a lot of opportunity to read, which I really enjoy. I have read some very challenging books as well as some fictional books just for fun. And have spent a lot of time in the Word. I feel like I have learned so much.
This summer my back has been bothering me a lot, and so I finally switched chiropractors. I was so discouraged because I was going multiple times a week and just nothing was getting better. It was affecting my sleep and I haven't been able to run, sitting is even painful. This week though it hasn't felt near as bad as it was and I even drove in a car for 14 hours this past weekend, so I think it's healing. Praise God! A bad back is never fun, especially at a young age. I will be so grateful when I can run again without pain.
In my new apartment I have a piano, which may seem like such a small thing- but I love it! I love just sitting down and playing one song or playing for a half hour. It just brings me so much joy and I had really missed having easy access to a piano.
Another huge part of my summer was my trip to Ecuador. Beyond grateful I got to go, not a day goes by where I don't think about that trip and the people I met there. I still believe that one day I'll go back hopefully for a little longer term, but still just waiting to see what the Lord has in store.
Today begins the first day back of another year as an ARD. I am very excited about this year and what God has planned! I can't believe it's already here and yet I am ready and eager to have everyone back. The stillness of our campus during the summer has been nice, but I love when the buildings are full and my RA's are here, the residents have moved in, and my friends will be back on campus. (I've missed them!) This time last year I had no idea what to expect. I felt so unprepared. And while last year was hard, I don't doubt that The Lord had prepared me and that I was able to learn and grow a lot. This year I come in with a year of experience, a new perspective, and just a fresh beginning. I am so excited and anticipate God to work in ways beyond what I could ever ask or imagine.
A week ago I had a conversation with a friend. We were just talking about life. The good, the bad, the hard, and the joys. She referred to God as sovereign. And I love that word. A word that can only be used to describe God. It has stuck with me and daily I'm reminded that I serve a SOVEREIGN God.
A few things that I've learned that continue to be on my heart.
1. I love where I'm at. God has placed me here for a reason and a purpose. He is the controller of all things.
2. I am chosen, treasured, and am found in Christ.
3. God is love. He loves me unconditionally and He gives me the strength to love others
