Saying goodbye is never easy...and I for one have never been good at them. My mom always reminds me of how I used to be, when I was little. I'd play at my friends houses and have so much fun I'd cry when it was time to go (even if I knew that I was just going to see them the next day or even the next week). So it is no surprise that as I say my goodbyes to different parts of my life here in Portland I tear up, knowing that I'll see everyone again, yet feeling like a part of my world is crashing down.
Sunday Anna, Cristina and I, all roommates for a total of three years together, said our goodbyes as Anna and I moved our things over to our parents house and Cris finished out the long week of packing for her new destination. Monday I said goodbye to working for my dad in his office. Wednesday I said goodbye to my Coffee's On coworkers as I completed my final closing shift. Soon I will be saying goodbye to my dear friends and family, my church family, my comforts, my space, and the normal day to day, to say hello to a new and relatively unknown world (to me) in Argentina.
So, as I let go of yesterday and today, I take a deep breath and journey into the future; and I excitedly anticipate the new friends and experiences awaiting me. And I promise you that I will cry when I leave there too, its just who I am :).
Until tomorrow...
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Friday, January 8, 2010
Reflections
Sorry this took me so long to post...balancing packing, work, and all the details that come with moving has proven to be quite the challenge!
__________________________
Amazing how a decade can go by so fast! As I sit here celebrating the coming of a new year, I can't help but think back on where I have been and how the last ten years has shaped the person I am today.
In the last decade I've worked several different type of jobs (retail sales associate, babysitter, secretary, librarian, Inside Sales Associate, custodian, and teacher's assistant). I have also traveled to a few places in the world (England, Germany, Canada, Thailand, Argentina), and have seen the Lord move me from one direction to another. In 2000 I thought for sure that I wanted to be a school teacher and to work with young children. By 2003 I was thinking that I wanted to be a teacher but not in a school, maybe a teacher of English as a second language. I also wanted to be a mentor to young girls, maybe college age. These ideas built until, in the recent couple of years my desire is to work with international adults or young adults in teaching English as a second language...with a deepened desire to mentor young women as they face the challenges of life.
This last decade has had some real highs and some real lows. I remember those who I've lost this decade: god-mother in 1999 to cancer, grandpa Don, Ellen Swope, David Weisenburg, grandpa Lou, and most recently our family dog who was a real part of the family. There were many tragedies in the world too during this year (specifically 9/11, among many many others).
Along with the lows are some real high points. I had my first international traveling experience, my first boyfriend, I started and finished my college degree, I have gained many wonderful friends, I participated in my little sister's wedding, I've traveled three times to Argentina, I moved out on my own, among many many other high points in the decade.
Through all of these moments God has been directing me and walking with me, guiding me to where I am today. One of the biggest shifts in my life was in 2003 when I decided to go to the Gateway Missionary Training Center in Canada. I didn't know where I wanted to go, but I felt the Lord directing me towards missions. It was at this training center that I gained the tools to be more effective in ministry, to see other cultures through His eyes, and to love them. It wasn't an easy process. I wrestled with the Lord over many things, even where I was planning to go for my three month internship overseas. But inhis love and grace I went to Thailand. I learned so much about myself, not to mention the Thai culture. During this stretching time I felt it was important that I study the Word more and to get training as an ESL teacher (since I'd really found that this was something I could do well).
Within a month of my return from this Missionary training program, I applied, was accepted, and began classes at Multnomah Bible college (now Multnomah University). I planned to stay a year, but the Lord had other plans :). Five years later (after taking one year to go to Community College), I finished a degree in Intercultural Studies and TESOL (teaching English as a Second Language). But more than a degree, I had gained confidence in myself, in the Lord's faithfulness, and I'd gained many wonderful godly friends who I have found to be of great support as I move into this new phase of my life.
It is amazing to see how when we take steps, God directs us into such amazing journeys. It isn't all pleasant, but it is always a journey of growing deeper in our understanding of God's amazing love for us. I am so looking forward to what this next year, and this next decade will hold!
__________________________
Amazing how a decade can go by so fast! As I sit here celebrating the coming of a new year, I can't help but think back on where I have been and how the last ten years has shaped the person I am today.
In the last decade I've worked several different type of jobs (retail sales associate, babysitter, secretary, librarian, Inside Sales Associate, custodian, and teacher's assistant). I have also traveled to a few places in the world (England, Germany, Canada, Thailand, Argentina), and have seen the Lord move me from one direction to another. In 2000 I thought for sure that I wanted to be a school teacher and to work with young children. By 2003 I was thinking that I wanted to be a teacher but not in a school, maybe a teacher of English as a second language. I also wanted to be a mentor to young girls, maybe college age. These ideas built until, in the recent couple of years my desire is to work with international adults or young adults in teaching English as a second language...with a deepened desire to mentor young women as they face the challenges of life.
This last decade has had some real highs and some real lows. I remember those who I've lost this decade: god-mother in 1999 to cancer, grandpa Don, Ellen Swope, David Weisenburg, grandpa Lou, and most recently our family dog who was a real part of the family. There were many tragedies in the world too during this year (specifically 9/11, among many many others).
Along with the lows are some real high points. I had my first international traveling experience, my first boyfriend, I started and finished my college degree, I have gained many wonderful friends, I participated in my little sister's wedding, I've traveled three times to Argentina, I moved out on my own, among many many other high points in the decade.
Through all of these moments God has been directing me and walking with me, guiding me to where I am today. One of the biggest shifts in my life was in 2003 when I decided to go to the Gateway Missionary Training Center in Canada. I didn't know where I wanted to go, but I felt the Lord directing me towards missions. It was at this training center that I gained the tools to be more effective in ministry, to see other cultures through His eyes, and to love them. It wasn't an easy process. I wrestled with the Lord over many things, even where I was planning to go for my three month internship overseas. But inhis love and grace I went to Thailand. I learned so much about myself, not to mention the Thai culture. During this stretching time I felt it was important that I study the Word more and to get training as an ESL teacher (since I'd really found that this was something I could do well).
Within a month of my return from this Missionary training program, I applied, was accepted, and began classes at Multnomah Bible college (now Multnomah University). I planned to stay a year, but the Lord had other plans :). Five years later (after taking one year to go to Community College), I finished a degree in Intercultural Studies and TESOL (teaching English as a Second Language). But more than a degree, I had gained confidence in myself, in the Lord's faithfulness, and I'd gained many wonderful godly friends who I have found to be of great support as I move into this new phase of my life.
It is amazing to see how when we take steps, God directs us into such amazing journeys. It isn't all pleasant, but it is always a journey of growing deeper in our understanding of God's amazing love for us. I am so looking forward to what this next year, and this next decade will hold!
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