~
Just this past Friday I finished my office job as a biller. On Saturday I ended my job as a caterer. This morning I completed my job as a janitor. My little brother is leaving for his first year of college on Thursday. And my flight for Los Angeles is leaving the following Tuesday.
I might need to find a proper suitcase.
Even while all of these things are signaling that the "end is coming," oddly, I still don't feel as though this drastic change in my life is actually happening. People continually approach me, asking me if I'm excited or nervous about moving to LA, and I honestly tell them that I haven't gotten to that point yet. I know that the moment I reach the airport and I'm safely seated on the plane that it will all crash down on me - be praying for the unwitting person who is seated next to me when that happens.
Perhaps part of the reason that I am so calm and content at the moment is due to the way I have been provided for over the summer. My biggest concern with this program is figuring out how I will finance everything. Unlike your typical graduate program, this program is steep in volunteering and internships, which takes me overseas for two full years. With that comes added expenses, such as purchasing plane tickets, paying for room and board, and any additional travel expenses such as a visa or a bed net. The bulk of the program takes the form of working with humanitarian and faith-based organizations that are already supporting and ministering to their community. This leaves me with almost no opportunity to work for pay while I am interning abroad. Fortunately, I was able to come out of my undergraduate education with minimal loans and just a few weeks ago was able to see the financial statement for this coming semester at Azusa Pacific. While my loans are going to have to be put on hold, what I've made this summer from my three jobs is enough to pay for my first semester and hopefully my plane tickets overseas! The Lord is good indeed.
Another concern was finding housing for my semester in Los Angeles, CA. My program connected me with another student that would be my roommate for the semester. Housing on campus is not an option for us, so we needed to find a place to live. After countless hours of internet searching, and visiting on her part, the coordinator for our program mentioned a young family that had rented to previous students from the programs. We contacted them immediately, and they had a room available that they needed to rent out as soon as possible - big enough for two people! We skyped with them a couple days later, and lo and behold, I found out that they had grown up in none other than Grand Rapids, MI, where I just spent my past three years! They even graduated from the high school just across the street from my university's campus. I had been a bit nervous about the change in culture (and climate) that the move to LA signified, and the Lord has provided me with a family that understands, literally, where I am coming from. In addition to this, their apartment is a short 2.5 miles away from my classes and they offered to let me use a bike to get to and from my classes - I now have no worries about my transportation for the semester!
The last piece that I've been mulling over is finding employment. One other student in the program offered up a suggestion of working with high school students to form and lead a group or club on social justice issues or for volunteering as a paid position. With my background in student-led organizations, I quickly emailed the lady in charge of the program and I am awaiting her response. If the response is positive, I will have nothing left to do except to shout and sing for joy! If not, I will continue my job hunt for anything within a reasonable distance from my apartment. I'm hoping to find work as a social work case aide to use my latest education, but I would be more than happy to work in a restaurant, as a receptionist, or even as a janitor, if needed.
All that's left is to pack up and say good-bye. It's uncertain if I will be coming back to the Mid-West for Thanksgiving, but I found out that I will have the majority of December to be at home. However, this is still a significant change, and it will be a lot to take in. I'm praying that the Lord will help me in the transition and direct me as I begin making connections with my fellow students and the local community in LA.
For those that were wondering about the concert that I held about a week ago, I promise to post videos in my next post - we've been having a few technical difficulties with the videos, but they will be up soon! To give you a little taste, I'll post the lyrics for the song that I wrote specifically about this next phase in my life and my thoughts on feelings on it all. This song is called "Adventure".
Sunlight breaks on a brand new day
I've got a map to guide my way
My eyes are wide and my heart is heavy
My breathing's quick, but I must be steady
On this adventure that I'll take.
My soul's at peace and my spirit sings
To my Savior's love I will always cling
The compass points a path out west
My Lord, He calls, puts me to the test
On this adventure that I'll take.
When the days are long and the nights are short
(When my ship can't find its way to port)
When I'm worn down to my bones
When the wind is high and I'm 'bout to fall
(When the waves crash in against the wall)
When I feel like I'm all alone
Although the storm rages on the sea
My heart will always be -
Home.
As my ship sets sail under starry sky
As I leave all familiar and loved behind
I've nothing of which to be afraid
For the winds and seas You have made
On this adventure that I'll take.
When the days are long and the nights are short
(When my ship can't find its way to port)
When I'm worn down to my bones
When the wind is high and I'm 'bout to fall
(When the waves crash in against the wall)
When I feel like I'm all alone
Although the storm rages on the sea
My heart will always be -
Home.
Oh, You call me
Oh, You call me
Oh, You call me
(Come to Me to find My rest)
Out on the sea
(Come to Me to reach your quest)
Oh, You call me
(Come and find the what you desire)
To be set free
(Come and find the source of fire)
Oh, You call me
(Come to see what is the Truth)
Out on the sea
(Come to see your spirit new)
Oh, You call me
(Come and seek for My heart)
To be set free
(Come and seek for your part)
When the days are long and the nights are short
(When my ship can't find its way to port)
When I'm worn down to my bones
When the wind is high and I'm 'bout to fall
(When the waves crash in against the wall)
When I feel like I'm all alone
Although the storm rages on the sea
My heart will always be -
Home.
