My Life These Days :)
This has been a crazy good season. I’ve learned so much, I’ve grown even more, and I have so, so much to be grateful for. As I head into the summer of 2021, I can’t help but think about the fact that 1) it’s already the summer (yay!) and 2) it’s very much no longer 2020.
I wonder what post pandemic life will begin to look like. I wonder how that will impact my work as a first grade teacher. I wonder what church will begin looking like again for me, and I also wonder what in the world my summer will look like! How do we transition into post-pandemic life well? How do I continue to love my neighbor, while also living in the freedom of being fully vaccinated? How do I think about masks? Social gatherings? Hugs? There’s a lot to think about there! There’s also a lot of joy that’s coming for so many people; I can just feel it!
On another-related-to-joy note: some exciting news for your Sunday afternoon! I’ve recently had the honor and privilege of calling a new condo in Fairfax my home. I am now a homeowner thanks to my gracious, gentle, incredibly kind and generous grandfather. It brings tears to my eyes to know that my Opa is a rock in my life. He gives and gives and gives of himself and his resources to care for his children and grandchildren and great-grandchildren! He is the model for generosity in my life, and he’s given relentlessly to the fruition of all my dreams, academic and otherwise. It’s been a whirlwind of a house hunt, but I’ve found the one and am so excited for what this next chapter will bring.
I’m also sitting here on my off-white IKEA couch now, with a new necklace around my neck. It a beautiful nickel color, and it says “be still.” These words hold deep meaning for me now, as of 12:40 pm today (June 13th, 2021). I was walking out of the new church in McLean I now attend, and a beautiful woman with short, blonde hair and the kindest blue eyes approached me as I was about to leave. Her demeanor was inviting, her eyes, so kind. She basically proceeded to speak directly to my aches and pains, physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional. She prayed for me. She said the Lord just wants me to be still in this next season, and listen to His sweet voice. With tears in her bright, beautiful eyes, she spoke such profound, restorative words. Her name was Irena. Irena was a gift from God today, because she began to usher in some pretty immense healing (and tears lol), as I’ve left one congregation recently in place of another.
I have no ill feelings for my old church down 495 South. I have only love, admiration, and respect for the leadership there and for the many friends I’ve made there. Needless to say, it’s amazing to me how the Lord leads and guides us all. I felt the pull towards another church, and am confident God is in the midst of it all.
So, my life update: I’m a homeowner, a teacher on summer vacation (as of last week!), and looking forward to the bright future God has for me, in church, in life, in my vocation, and with the many tears of joy and sorrow I have left to cry as I heal from past pains and hurts. I’m so grateful.
If I have any encouragement for you in this day, it’s this: let the love of God wash over you, like a tidal wave. Wave after wave after wave of love is in our midst! It’s overwhelming to be loved by the Lord, and that’s okay! Let that love change you. His love is transformational and good. Let’s lock arms and build each other up as we venture towards Heaven, the best adventure that’s yet to come. Eyes up!
