Change is a rather strange thing.
Change is word that can hold two different meanings, positive or negative.
And lately, things have been changing.
And that's an understatement. A little over three months ago I moved to a different country. I've met some of the most incredible and inspirational people with similar ambitions whom I'm so thankful to call my friends. I've joined a new church, taken classes here that are very different than back home, and left my family and my best friends.
While being here I've experienced so much self-growth and discovery. I got my first 'real-job' at Stone Ward, an advertising agency downtown that I'll begin when I get back to the States in June. In my courses I'm applying all this exciting knowledge about marketing, customer service, and social media to projects and case studies that I've spent countless hours researching and working on independently.
I've had time here to invest in my hobbies and feel myself strengthening as a writer and photographer, putting it all into practice on my website. In just three short days I'll begin traveling across 7 countries for 25 days. It has been such a privilege and exhilarating time in my life, but there's one thing I left home with that I won't go back to.
A break up is no easy thing to go through. But being half a world away, thinking I would come back to what I've known for two years is suddenly gone... it rocked my world. There's so many things I want to say, so much confusion and emotions that I haven't felt before, but nothing to be said. Over 5,000 miles separates us and I can't help but think, if I didn't study abroad, this wouldn't have ever happened.
But it is change. I never for a second would take back my decision to go overseas. I'm trying to view this change positively. I was already open to all options with no boundaries: a job out of state as soon as I graduate, my masters abroad, or an internship overseas... But there was one thing holding me back. The thought that it would be unfair to do long distance all over again.
Now that's not one of my worries.
I am young.
I have my entire life ahead of me to be in a relationship, married, and begin a family. Now is the time for me to embrace the limitless possibilities that I'll never have the opportunity to do again. I'm ready to go where He calls me and do uncomfortable things that require change. I recently watched a podcast by Breakaway Ministries where Ben talks about the privileges of singleness. One point he emphasizes is pursuing a devotion to the Lord being attentive to His Word and His Work. I feel like God is doing a work in my life. The timing of all the change that has been happening could not have been more interesting or coincidental. It's been a roller coaster to say the least but I feel like one thing has led to another and that I'm beginning a new stage of my life. I'm thankful that these next three weeks of travel will get my mind off things.
Change is a good thing.
But one thing will never change.
I'm thankful for a Lord that is there to show me which way is up and which way is down. In all of this, I have peace knowing that what I can control can't match his all-knowing power and love for me. Trusting in His will and way is my only hope and prayer in this messy thing called life.
Figuring life out day by day,
Madeline