I know I haven't been the best at keeping you all updated on what has been happening in this nomad's life, but here is my effort to bring you up to speed.
As 2018 draws closer to an end, I'm amazed at the things God has done in my life. Bear with me as I walk you through month by month.
January
Back at the beginning of the year, I was lost in the beginning of a new semester of teaching my students and contemplating what the new year would hold. God continued to provide extra opportunities to earn money, and opened the doors for my best friend and me to begin planning our trip to Europe. Of all the places I've wanted to visit in this world, Germany has always held the top spot because of my love for WWII history. Last January, my best friend told me that she would probably be headed to Germany this summer for a conference and that maybe we could meet up before or after her conference. WOW! Not only was my dream of travelling to Europe finally forming into a real plan, but God was working it out for me to go to the place I've always wanted to visit. On top of all of that, I was going to get to see my best friend finally after a year and a half of being half a world apart from each other!
God is great, all the time!
February
As the year slowly drifted into a new month, my picture of the next year also began to morph. If you know me at all, you know I like to have my path mapped out and thrive off a structured schedule. Yet back in February, God started to show me that it may be time to change directions again. I've always thought I would settle down and stay in one place for a long time, but it seems like God continually pushes me out of my comfort zone and brings me to new adventures every few years. So I told my boss that I may not be returning to the school next year, and I began reaching out to new places of employment. I knew I would miss the school I had worked at for the past two years, but I also felt a strong peace from God that I was making the right choice. He quickly began to open doors for interviews and to open my eyes to new possibilities.
All the time, God is great!
March
Cue the month of spring break and the beginning of goodbyes. At the start of March, I submitted an application at a popular Christian theater. Something completely out of the realm of where I thought I would ever work, but my cousin who works there really wanted me to apply. So I did. Within a few days, I had a phone interview which led to an in person interview happening over spring break. Over spring break, I went to my hometown, to Branson to see one cousin and interview at the theater, to Joplin to visit my cousin's bakery (the Frosted Cakerie which is amazing! You should go if you're anywhere near Joplin, MO!), to Arkansas to see my aunt and uncle, to Kansas City area to see my sister and her family, and back to my hometown for my last chance to celebrate Easter with my parents as pastors before they retired. It was a crazy week of driving around five states, but it was a great adventure. I didn't end up getting the job with the theater, but that chance to interview gave me a new perspective. I wasn't bound by anything to keep teaching. I specifically asked God to close the doors at the theater if that wasn't the path He wanted me to take since it was way out in left field from what I had been doing, and He did. However, He also opened my eyes and hearts to different avenues I could pursue. So as we entered a new season of the year, I began to explore a new season of my life.
God is great, all the time!
April
As the school year drew closer to its end, I continued to send out applications and prepare to move. I started to tell more people that I wouldn't be returning to Colorado after the summer; and while the goodbyes were difficult, I continued to feel God's peace about the choice. At the end of the month I returned to my hometown to help my parents with a large moving sale. It was hard to watch as they sold off loads of their furniture and possessions so that they could downsize into their fifth-wheel camper; but it was also encouraging to see how God was continuing to direct their path. I also bought my plane tickets for the trip of a lifetime! It was finally becoming a reality.
All the time, God is great!
May
Welcome to the land of chaos for a teacher. As if the end of the school year isn't stressful enough, throw into the mix that I was moving and saying goodbye to my friends, coworkers, and students in Colorado. In the midst of teary goodbyes, God continued to open doors and new dreams. I had a phone interview with a church I attended for a short time in college to be their children's ministry director. This interview went well, but it meant a month of waiting before the next step in the interview process. Waiting isn't always easy, but I'm often reminded how many people were asked to wait in the Bible. Abraham waited for his promised child. Joseph waited for years to see why he had been sold into slavery. Moses wandered and waited in the desert with the Israelites. Waiting just means that something new is coming.
God is great, all the time!
June
Enter the last month of life in my hometown. With it comes craziness from all sides--packing years worth of memories, planning a VBS in less than a week, moving my possessions to storage in my grandparents' garage, and becoming a true nomad by condensing what I needed to just one car load. During this month, I started my journey of jumping from one friend's home to the next; and I ended it by interviewing with the church in person. Once again, I saw God show up in the kids and leaders at VBS, in the way people willingly opened their homes to me, and in the way He led me through yet more interviews. At the end of the month though, I was still waiting to know what was coming next. Nevertheless, it was just a few days longer until I embarked on my grand adventure.
All the time, God is great!
July
Can you believe it? I finally made it to Europe and got to see my best friend again!!!!!!!! It was so exciting that I can barely put it into words. Keep an eye out for more pictures. When I returned from my trip, God finally closed the door on the job at the church and basically started my job search over. However, I was still trusting that He had a plan for me leaving a solid job and moving across country without a job or place to live.
God is great, all the time!
August
In the midst of this month, I began to grow tired of the nomad life. Thus, I decided to settle into my sister's basement until I found something else. It turned out to be just what we all needed. I found two part time jobs and moved in with my sister just in time to begin caring for her girls as she returned to school and work. It's amazing how God's plan is always best, isn't it? I never pictured myself living with my family, just near them; but so far it's been an interesting and fun ride.
All the time, God is great!
September
As fall rolled in, I settled into my new jobs and roll as a live in nanny. I also finally finished the year long process I had started with my teeth. All in all, it was a pretty tame month, which is just what I needed after the chaos of the summer. Oh isn't relaxing in the peace of God a wonderful thing?
God is great, all the time!
October
After some interesting transitions, I went from substituting for one company to substituting for a different school district, which was a necessary decision. Towards the middle of the month, I got the chance to visit with some good friends from college and just relax. Oh my I love friends and a chance to catch up! It's wonderful that friendships founded in the Lord are designed to last for a lifetime.
All the time, God is great!
November
Oh my! Tides of chaos rolled in during this month. I started the month by travelling to NYC with my sisters to celebrate our birthdays together. It was crazy fun, but I was happy to return from the land full of people. When we returned, my parents and I started the journey to find this nomad a home. AND WE DID IT!!!! On November 19, I took possession of my very first home. While it all happened so fast, I'm thankful for my new home and the way God provided the right home at the right time. Be watching for a virtual tour soon. This nomad is finally coming home! (once the necessary updates are made)
God is great, all the time!
As this month comes to a close, I continue to thank God for everything He has done, and I can't wait to see what else He will do. Now don't get me wrong. I still have my moments where I doubt what He is doing in my life or break down and cry because life isn't what I expected; but in the long run, I'm reminded that God holds even the little details of my life in His hands.
Fair warning: I plan to post a picture summary of my Europe trip and a photo tour of my home soon, but my plans tend to go haywire lately so don't get your hopes up too high!
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