countdown

the countdown has begun. it didn't hit me until last week, and i cried one night realizing all that this city has meant to me over the last decade. ten years, that's how long i have been here. whoever decided that 18 year olds could make life altering decisions on their own, failed to realize we don't know anything at 18 about what those decisions will mean. i got a letter in the mail last week from my school, welcoming me to the School of Intercultural Studies. the person who wrote the letter shared that when he set foot on the campus a few decades ago, he had no idea how his life would be enriched by his time there. that's when it hit me, not only do i now know where i am going to be living in 5 months, i have no idea what this new season will bring.

in 1999, i moved to fort wayne and kicked and screamed my way here. i wanted to go to the "big campus" of taylor, not this little shabby campus here. God changed my heart quickly and i decided to stay. i have a picture that was taken of about 7 girls holding a sign on 9/9/99- many of them are still close friends of mine today. so here i go, in 2009, to my next adventure. i have no idea who my friends will be on 9/9/09, or what job i might have in 3 years, or what life will look like in ten more years.

today i had my second good cry. for the first time, i am admitting to myself that Fort Wayne, IN is home. i always called MN home and pouted about the fact that God put me in this small town, but now i have fresh eyes to see the hand of God at work and am reminded that it's ok to call this home. brooke gave me the great idea of jotting down things i will miss as i think of them, this has turned into another "I Spy" list for me as i've been reminded of all the ways God has worked in, through, and around me during the last 10 years.

i'm a "list maker" so i have a notebook now of things to do, people to see, and pictures to take before i leave.

but i am also looking forward, so i leave you with this.

ten reasons i am excited about pasadena, ca:
(in no particular order)

1) i finally found a graduate program that fits my heart!

2) hooray for living by grandparents, aunts, and cousins!!

3) beach.

4) beach.

5) in & out burger.

6) palm trees all around

7) big city!

8) it likely will not be weird to be 27 and single there!

9) i do love the snow, but get this: yesterday in Fort Wayne it was-2 degrees, in Pasadena the high was 87 degrees. happy january.

10) reconnecting with old friends, making new friends, visiting new churches, spending time with family, new opportunities... a whole new season awaits!