Yes, today is the day! The day that marks one year!
365 days
Three hundred sixty-five days since I packed up three large suitcases and a backpack and moved to the other side of the world. I left my family, my friends, my students, and my church back in the US in order to pursue what I knew the Father was calling me to.
I don’t think a week goes by where I do not hear the question, “why did you come here?” I can’t help but answer with something along the lines of, “I just know I am supposed to be here.”
There are very few differences to my daily life here, than it was in my daily life teaching in Virginia. I go to school (Monday-Friday). I workout regularly, I hang out with friends, shop, eat, go to church, play with my cats. Everything except all in a very hot and sweaty climate (so I take more showers), and though I teach in English, most of my days I am hearing and using another language.
Though things are so similar to the previous year, I don’t think I would have learned some of the lessons I have learned since being here. Get ready for some open and honest ones. These are in no particular order and have far too many stories to share with them that will not fit in this post:
- I am a selfish person and can easily say the wrong thing at the wrong time.
- When working with a new team, I prefer to take a backseat and not rock the boat.
- I can grow a garden when I take the time to slow down and care for it.
- I love to teach and I am good at what I do (part 1).
- (part 2) But I sometimes take too much pride in what I do.
- I am healthier here (mentally, emotionally, physically, spiritually).
- I enjoy building relationships with people and it comes naturally to me.
- I can love people, but it takes time.
- I am naturally assertive and too blunt, but I can be a gentle and quiet spirit, too.
- When I am lonely, I instinctually look to escape.
- I am more naturally introverted than I thought I was.
- I get distracted easily when I cast vision for the future, but I enjoy futuristic thinking.
- I really have no control in anything and I am learning to be okay with that.
- I can sweat all day, everyday and embrace it.
- I can learn new things by observing.
- I can say “yes” and “no” depending on what is on my plate.
- I can manage my time well on most days.
- I have the diligence to learn a new language.
- I have more confidence now in who I am and whose I am!
- I am broken and unfinished, and that fact keeps me going!
Though these are only a few lessons I have learned in the last 365 days, they have been important and stretching ones.
You know every year, when your birthday comes around and someone asks, “do you feel a year older?” or “how does it feel to be ___?” I think that should be asked of me today. As I have taken these last few months to reflect. I have written many posts that have gone unpublished. Not because they were not ready, but rather I was not ready. This process of moving my life from one place to the next, was not just a physical act for me, but it was an emotional one too. It was a new beginning, a next chapter, a new season. If someone were to tell me I would have changed this much in one year, I would not have believed them. Let me say, I really do not feel my age (ha ha)! But I am proud of who I am and where I am at. I am thankful for the challenges, the drama, the joys, the laughter, and the new experiences that have come my way this past year and I cannot wait to see what happens this coming year!
There has been a lot that has changed in my life this year, but what about in yours? Tell me about it! I’d love to hear some of your stories, too! Leave a comment below or send me a personal message. Blessings!
