Blessings in Abundance

Hope International has proven to be a blessing in so many different ways. Professionally, it has been great to work for something I truly believe in and alongside so many incredible people. Spiritually, I have been encouraged by many different people at HOPE and challenged by living outside my comfort zone. Personally, I have been given the opportunity to visit much of the Northeast and many times stay for free at friend's houses to make my trips much more afforable. Many things have just fallen into place, such as having my mowing job. Mowing gets me outside, doing something physical, gives me access to a truck when I need it, and has made it financially possible for me to volunteer out here.

In my last post, I wrote all about my East Coast road trip with Alan. The weekend after that I went down to Deep Creek, Maryland to spend the weekend at a friend's lake house. I think it is incredible the blessings that I've received across the nation and so far from home. Since that weekend I have decided to try and lay low for a couple weekends.

Now that I'm not traveling as much on the weekends, I am spending more time on Saturdays mowing lawns. Mowing really isn't that bad until it is 90 degrees outside with high humidity. I honestly rather be mowing then sitting around on the couch. It is nice to go do something productive. The international house that I am living with just filled up with the students who will be attending the local University. It is great to meet people from countries all over the world. Last night, we played an indoor soccer game in the barn. We played four vs four and there were six countries represented (Ghana, Brazil, Guatemala, Sudan, Albania, and the US). That is an experience I couldn't find in too many other places. It is great to have a full house of interesting people to spend time with. I am trying to take advantage of living with people from South America by practicing Spanish with them. It is hard for me to be bold enough to speak in front of everyone in the house, but I am really enjoying practicing my Spanish one on one.

Over the past few years, I have come to find that living in different states or countries is a catalyst for personal growth. There are times of boredom, loneliness, thankfulness, and gratitude for a multitude of blessings. Even though life at work (HOPE & mowing) may be hectic, there is much more time for reflection and connection with God. It is these times when I find myself out of my comfort zone that I am pressing towards God. The distractions of home are great, but can serve as a road block for spiritual and personal growth. I miss home (California) every now and then, but at other times I am extremely grateful for the position I am in, even if that means a lonely night here or there. I thank God for today and the challenges that he has allowed me to have this summer.

Last week was the first week of Point Loma. This was a tough week for me. For the first year in 17 years there was no first day of school picture, meeting new teachers, or reading different class syllabus. After Freshman year of college I realized that I loved to learn and be in an academic environment. I don't know if that is because I started working in the business world that year and saw what I had waiting for me following graduation or if my perception just changed as I was growing. I miss the academic environment, the late nights in the library with friends, studying (talking) late at coffee shops, growing my knowledge, and the list goes on.

Two weeks ago, I began my quest to the next step in my life. It is tough knowing that there is a good chance that even after a lot of hard work looking for a job, I will probably have to settle for a job that I don't necessarily want to do. So much for that degree right. This quest is taking a lot of my focus, energy, and time. I feel guilty with this lurking in the back of my mind because I am not as efficient when I am working at HOPE. Much of my free time on the weekends is being spent in coffee shops searching for that elusive job, connection, or person I need to talk to. I am confident and trust that if I take this journey day by day, it will work out and God will help place me in a job that will grow me in different ways.

On September 11th, I am heading down to the Dominican Republic for a little over a week. I am traveling with a few of the HOPE interns around the country as well as visiting HOPEs operations down there. I am excited to see what our work at HOPE in the United States supports overseas.