growing up

all good things must come to an end...even this great time of rest and travel and re-connecting with people from different seasons of life.

and i will say God's timing is good. while i've loved all the travel, the past week or so, i've felt this shift in my heart. i've found myself longing for the community that can only happen if you're in one place for more than a week at a time. i've been feeling like its just "time" to put down roots again (at least for awhile) and settle in. i knew i had 2 more weeks of travel plans ahead, but i called kelly temporary services to let them know when i'd be interested in working again. my contact said things had been slow, so i thought it would be a bit tougher to find a job (especially with the job market in jackson!). i was starting to "worry" a bit about that. then yesterday when i got home from chicago i'd received a message from Kelly Services...and they have a long term placement for me starting on Monday. perfect timing. again!

i'll be working at Flagstar Bank again, but in a different department - and while i'm not necessarily thrilled with working an office job (not exactly compelling to me, or in line with what God is doing in my heart) - i see God's goodness, and the "right-ness" of the situation all over. its a long term placement, so i'll be able to build relationships with my co-workers (which i'm excited about). it will pay the bills (that need to be paid!) and its a temp job (which is the best part) - so i can leave at anytime and not be letting anyone down! last night i told one of my friends about my job and he said, "they won't exactly be using your gifts and talents to the fullest" - which is true. but God is also continuing to work in my heart in terms of things i can do in jackson...here and now that are in line with my heart, my gifts and talents. so the job i pay the bills with isn't my heart passion...but there are other things that i believe will be...and even for that reason i'm excited to be putting down some roots and building some new relationships in my community.

so after all my travels and adventures...rest and restoration...its back to work. i'm thankful that God has provided for me...and at the same time, i'm beginning to sense that this could be a bit of a tough transition for me. in some ways i've been living in this "alternate reality" of my life - traveling, and not really engaged in life here. starting to work, and moving back to my own house will bring up the reality that i really am back...and the "normalcy" of my life. even though i've been back from india for nearly 3 months in some ways i haven't adjusted to "real life" here...and i'm just sensing that it could be a bit of a bumpy ride. all that to say, i'd covet your prayers as i settle back down, as life becomes "reality" and as i continue to wait on the Lord and His direction for what's "next" in this adventure of following Him. and while you're at it...you can be praying for my relationships with my co-workers at the bank and that God will be at work in and through them.