The last couple of weeks have been a whirlwind. During my last several days in the Los Angeles area I was able to pack in both things that I love as well as things I have been wanting to do since I moved to LA. Among the list: Disneyland, Laguna Beach, Santa Barbara, Hotel Cafe, Diddy Reese, In-N-Out, Lacy Park, and most importantly, I have had the chance to spend some great time with friends, professors, and people from my church. Although I will (and already do) miss my favorite hangouts, restaurants, and the beautiful sunshine in LA, the relationships I've built in LA over the last 2+ years are the most difficult to physically leave behind. I know it won't be long before I see many of my favorite Pasadenites (I think I just made up a new word...) but until then, know that I miss you all already.
It has a been a very memorable last couple of years; I was reminded of this on Sunday during my "going away party," where I had the chance to see some of you that have walked this journey with me over the last 2 years at Fuller and beyond. What a blessings you
friends are to me!
I began the long drive early Monday morning with my Subaru maxed out...not gonna lie...I did shed some tears as I drove out of Pasadena. I drove up the 101 and then took the 1 along the coast through Big Sur, Carmel, Santa Cruz, and through San Francisco. My first night I stayed with a friend that also went to Fuller, but moved away this last summer. It was great to catch up with Emma and spend some time with her and her new husband. Day 2 took me through the rest of California, through Mt. Shasta area and to the northern part of Oregon. Although Portland is a measly 3-hour drive from Seattle, I decided to stop for the night and spend some time with one of close friends from college (Desiree...and her husband). She is one of my favorite people to spend time with in life! Every time we get together we act like junior highers, always laughing and talking about the most ridiculous things. Wednesday morning I cruised into a sunny Seattle (this is rare for you folks beyond the clouds and rain), made a quick stop to see my sister, nephews, and niece, and finally made it to my destination.
Many have asked why Seattle, why now? What are you going to do now? What's next? My answer is complicated and multi-faceted. As many of you know, I have a 2-year overseas commitment of service to fulfill as part of a scholarship I received through Fuller. I plan to begin that sometime next year in Africa; knowing this, I wanted to spend some time with family and friends in Seattle before having to leave again. Since my experiences at Fuller exposed me to a lot of significant questions surrounding theological issues, Christian living, and how personal and intellectual faith interact with one another, I realized it was necessary for me to take some real time to work through these questions with intentionality now, before I move overseas. As much as I love Pasadena and my friends and community there, I felt it was time for me to step back from that context in order to really ask process my experiences at Fuller. I certainly know what I am giving up, but I also know that I am gaining a great many things as well. I anticipate a season of rest, a time to process things on paper and in prayer. I see this time as a time of preparation to live and work overseas. As I consider future plans and pursue different possibilities over the next several months, I also look forward to taking the time to enjoy areas of my life I've put aside for many years. I'm excited to take a digital photography class and get back into that again, learn to cook so my African friends can't make fun of my domestic incapabilities in the kitchen, and read books I've been wanting to tackle for so long. Sure, I am a bit anxious about this new season ahead of me; transition is difficult for most, but my hope is that this time before me, however long it is, will be a time of refreshment and renewal on many levels. I also appreciate your support and prayers for me during this new transition.
It has a been a very memorable last couple of years; I was reminded of this on Sunday during my "going away party," where I had the chance to see some of you that have walked this journey with me over the last 2 years at Fuller and beyond. What a blessings you friends are to me!
I began the long drive early Monday morning with my Subaru maxed out...not gonna lie...I did shed some tears as I drove out of Pasadena. I drove up the 101 and then took the 1 along the coast through Big Sur, Carmel, Santa Cruz, and through San Francisco. My first night I stayed with a friend that also went to Fuller, but moved away this last summer. It was great to catch up with Emma and spend some time with her and her new husband. Day 2 took me through the rest of California, through Mt. Shasta area and to the northern part of Oregon. Although Portland is a measly 3-hour drive from Seattle, I decided to stop for the night and spend some time with one of close friends from college (Desiree...and her husband). She is one of my favorite people to spend time with in life! Every time we get together we act like junior highers, always laughing and talking about the most ridiculous things. Wednesday morning I cruised into a sunny Seattle (this is rare for you folks beyond the clouds and rain), made a quick stop to see my sister, nephews, and niece, and finally made it to my destination.
Many have asked why Seattle, why now? What are you going to do now? What's next? My answer is complicated and multi-faceted. As many of you know, I have a 2-year overseas commitment of service to fulfill as part of a scholarship I received through Fuller. I plan to begin that sometime next year in Africa; knowing this, I wanted to spend some time with family and friends in Seattle before having to leave again. Since my experiences at Fuller exposed me to a lot of significant questions surrounding theological issues, Christian living, and how personal and intellectual faith interact with one another, I realized it was necessary for me to take some real time to work through these questions with intentionality now, before I move overseas. As much as I love Pasadena and my friends and community there, I felt it was time for me to step back from that context in order to really ask process my experiences at Fuller. I certainly know what I am giving up, but I also know that I am gaining a great many things as well. I anticipate a season of rest, a time to process things on paper and in prayer. I see this time as a time of preparation to live and work overseas. As I consider future plans and pursue different possibilities over the next several months, I also look forward to taking the time to enjoy areas of my life I've put aside for many years. I'm excited to take a digital photography class and get back into that again, learn to cook so my African friends can't make fun of my domestic incapabilities in the kitchen, and read books I've been wanting to tackle for so long. Sure, I am a bit anxious about this new season ahead of me; transition is difficult for most, but my hope is that this time before me, however long it is, will be a time of refreshment and renewal on many levels. I also appreciate your support and prayers for me during this new transition.
1 comment:
My friend!! I have loved watching your journey through the pictures you have created by email and blog. I would love to take you out for coffee sometime closer to Christmas. Bob and I will be coming to Woodinville on the 19th - do you have a number where I can call you!! Loving you sister!!
Post a Comment