Turning the Page
So as you can probably tell from the extreme absence of my writing, it has been quite a process coming back. After a health scare with Megan on the way home, some vomiting, and an extremely janky plane ride across the Atlantic, we made it back to Chicago. As we made our way through the airport and through the dreaded US Customs, I appreciated how familiar and yet how foreign everything around me seemed. People speaking English, all the signs in English, and huge toilets, all seemed familiar, but almost from a past life. I was warmly greeted by Celeste in the airport and was so grateful to see a familiar face. By the time we had landed Megan was feeling better and we got her on the Megabus with no problems. Going out into the big city was very strange. All the cars were huge, it was busy, and people seemed to be in such a rush, but to be honest I was so content just to be with family that I could not even begin to process everything, and my mind was just set on 8 Point Lake. After a long drive up the west side we arrived at the lake. I jumped out of the car, ran into the house and finally got to hug my mommy, something I had waited three months for. It was so good to just see her and be able to hug one of my best friends. I realize now that I really didn't hug many people while I was gone, which you all know is one my favorite things to give and receive. My next mission was a shower after sleeping in an airport and flying all day long on a smelly plane it was much needed. Dad made halibut (soooooo goood!) for all of us and then we headed off to bed.
The following day was everything I had wanted it to be: people coming to me while I relaxed and enjoyed their company (selfish I know). I got up early to enjoy a cup of coffee with mom and dad and Aaron as the sun came up over the calm lake; something that has been one of my favorite things about being at 8 point for some time now. A short while later grandma Tillie showed up, which was great because I only talked to her once all summer. It seemed as though everything was just a bit sweeter than normal, I just sat and chatted with grandma and felt somehow like I could live in the moment forever and be so content. As we talked the sounds and smells of the griddle wafted our way, and I was reminded of how much I missed and really appreciate my mom cooking for us. We had pancake and egg sandwiches, which I hated as a kid, but suddenly realized how delicious they are (I have been craving them since). A little while later Liz showed up with Brooks (her puppy) and we just talked and played in the water. I was so nice to have a sister in Christ who genuinely cared about me and asked the harder questions about the condition of my heart, what I had learned, what God was showing me (or not) and just really caring for me. She left and shortly there after Dani and Andy stopped by on their way up to Traverse City. It was an epic reunion. Dani and I have grown so close, and even our weekly skype dates, which routinely last for two plus hours, were not enough. Being able to hug her and laugh together is irreplaceable. We spend the evening catching up and laughing and seemingly getting back to normal. After dinner they headed out and Aunt Dian, uncle Steve, Jordan and Cole came. They were all very interested in my travels and had lots of questions that I gladly answered in detail. I have realized from a lot of my travels that I feel very loved when people want to know about my life and experiences. After a long day of talking, swimming, and relaxing I turned in pretty early.
Saturday was a lazy day doing all things that we do at the lake. Hanging out on the boat, laying in the sun, going to the sandbar, and catching up with my friends there. I missed a whole summer hanging out with Clarissa and Ryan, so we had to basically make up for all the lost time in one weekend. To sum up the weekend, there was a lot of delicious food, good time with friends, loving life, and rejecting impending reality.
Returning to Ann Arbor on Monday was so joyful and yet painful at the same time. I realized that it was going to be a much harder adjustment than I thought as the emails flooded in. I was feeling extremely overwhelmed and almost like a lost puppy. Rather than attempt to get my life back in order, on Monday night I decided to go over to my friend's apartment to hangout with people, which I still think was the right choice. I gave so many hugs and felt so at home and relieved to see so many familiar faces that I had missed so much all summer. The community that I have here at school and at New Life is so special, and unlike anything else. I have friends that truly love me and care about me and that is something that I know can only come through Christ's love.
After getting sheets on my bed and getting my schedule for Tuesday sorted out I headed for bed. The following week was a long stress filled week feeling like I was barely keeping my head above water. I went to innumerable classes trying to get my schedule figured out and spent way to many hours browsing the course guide trying to find classes that fit in my schedule. I went to lead my first life group feeling completely inadequate and discouraged, and didn't sleep or eat much. I was struggling pretty hard core. The next week didn't seem much easier after showing up to a lot of classes having not done the readings because I wasn't organized enough to even know I had reading to do. Luckily I have people in my life that care about me and my sanity, so I felt very cared for and had people to remind me that God is bigger and that everything will get sorted out. Finally this past week I have felt like things are settling down, I have an appetite again, my stomach aches have lessened, and I am thanking God for each day and all the opportunities I am given on a daily basis.
To wrap this all together, as the title suggests, I feel like I am turning a page in my life. This summer was filled with fun, exciting, scary, and broadening experiences that I will never forget. I got to go on the adventure of a lifetime that has made me feel as though I can handle almost anything the world throws at me. I feel like I did a lot of growing up this summer, but that I am almost in a limbo. I am now back to where I was before my trip, finishing up school, but I also feel an almost sense of urgency and am so aware of the temporal quality of my current spot. Things are the same, and at the same time everything is different. I have an entire summer of experiences that almost feel like a secret, and in January everything is going to change; no more school, a new job, new responsibilities, and more growing up to do.
I have many thanks to give: firstly and always the Lord who has rescued me and given me everything I have. Without him I am nothing. I would also like to thank my parents who have given me this opportunity and encouraged me along the way. They are so supportive and I can not ever even begin to thank them for not only this summer, but every moment when they have been my biggest fans. My sister Kelli has been a huge encouragement always, but especially this summer. She faithfully read my post and responded and encouraged me through the good and bad. My friends were great all summer at encouraging me and reminding me of God's goodness, but I would especially like to thank Caleb, Dani and David who sought me out and brought me so much joy and make me feel so loved from so far away.
Finally, as I try to live each day embracing every moment God provides, I am reminded of how important this moment is and yet how quickly it is gone. I mostly have been reminded lately of how I am called to glorify God in every moment of every day because, as a good friend told me the other day, because the vale was torn "everything is holy to a Christian." We are not separate from God ever, but we are one with God and he is in everything so we are called to serve Him in everything. This is my mission.
Standing in awe of God's providence,
Sigourney
The following day was everything I had wanted it to be: people coming to me while I relaxed and enjoyed their company (selfish I know). I got up early to enjoy a cup of coffee with mom and dad and Aaron as the sun came up over the calm lake; something that has been one of my favorite things about being at 8 point for some time now. A short while later grandma Tillie showed up, which was great because I only talked to her once all summer. It seemed as though everything was just a bit sweeter than normal, I just sat and chatted with grandma and felt somehow like I could live in the moment forever and be so content. As we talked the sounds and smells of the griddle wafted our way, and I was reminded of how much I missed and really appreciate my mom cooking for us. We had pancake and egg sandwiches, which I hated as a kid, but suddenly realized how delicious they are (I have been craving them since). A little while later Liz showed up with Brooks (her puppy) and we just talked and played in the water. I was so nice to have a sister in Christ who genuinely cared about me and asked the harder questions about the condition of my heart, what I had learned, what God was showing me (or not) and just really caring for me. She left and shortly there after Dani and Andy stopped by on their way up to Traverse City. It was an epic reunion. Dani and I have grown so close, and even our weekly skype dates, which routinely last for two plus hours, were not enough. Being able to hug her and laugh together is irreplaceable. We spend the evening catching up and laughing and seemingly getting back to normal. After dinner they headed out and Aunt Dian, uncle Steve, Jordan and Cole came. They were all very interested in my travels and had lots of questions that I gladly answered in detail. I have realized from a lot of my travels that I feel very loved when people want to know about my life and experiences. After a long day of talking, swimming, and relaxing I turned in pretty early.
Saturday was a lazy day doing all things that we do at the lake. Hanging out on the boat, laying in the sun, going to the sandbar, and catching up with my friends there. I missed a whole summer hanging out with Clarissa and Ryan, so we had to basically make up for all the lost time in one weekend. To sum up the weekend, there was a lot of delicious food, good time with friends, loving life, and rejecting impending reality.
Returning to Ann Arbor on Monday was so joyful and yet painful at the same time. I realized that it was going to be a much harder adjustment than I thought as the emails flooded in. I was feeling extremely overwhelmed and almost like a lost puppy. Rather than attempt to get my life back in order, on Monday night I decided to go over to my friend's apartment to hangout with people, which I still think was the right choice. I gave so many hugs and felt so at home and relieved to see so many familiar faces that I had missed so much all summer. The community that I have here at school and at New Life is so special, and unlike anything else. I have friends that truly love me and care about me and that is something that I know can only come through Christ's love.
After getting sheets on my bed and getting my schedule for Tuesday sorted out I headed for bed. The following week was a long stress filled week feeling like I was barely keeping my head above water. I went to innumerable classes trying to get my schedule figured out and spent way to many hours browsing the course guide trying to find classes that fit in my schedule. I went to lead my first life group feeling completely inadequate and discouraged, and didn't sleep or eat much. I was struggling pretty hard core. The next week didn't seem much easier after showing up to a lot of classes having not done the readings because I wasn't organized enough to even know I had reading to do. Luckily I have people in my life that care about me and my sanity, so I felt very cared for and had people to remind me that God is bigger and that everything will get sorted out. Finally this past week I have felt like things are settling down, I have an appetite again, my stomach aches have lessened, and I am thanking God for each day and all the opportunities I am given on a daily basis.
To wrap this all together, as the title suggests, I feel like I am turning a page in my life. This summer was filled with fun, exciting, scary, and broadening experiences that I will never forget. I got to go on the adventure of a lifetime that has made me feel as though I can handle almost anything the world throws at me. I feel like I did a lot of growing up this summer, but that I am almost in a limbo. I am now back to where I was before my trip, finishing up school, but I also feel an almost sense of urgency and am so aware of the temporal quality of my current spot. Things are the same, and at the same time everything is different. I have an entire summer of experiences that almost feel like a secret, and in January everything is going to change; no more school, a new job, new responsibilities, and more growing up to do.
I have many thanks to give: firstly and always the Lord who has rescued me and given me everything I have. Without him I am nothing. I would also like to thank my parents who have given me this opportunity and encouraged me along the way. They are so supportive and I can not ever even begin to thank them for not only this summer, but every moment when they have been my biggest fans. My sister Kelli has been a huge encouragement always, but especially this summer. She faithfully read my post and responded and encouraged me through the good and bad. My friends were great all summer at encouraging me and reminding me of God's goodness, but I would especially like to thank Caleb, Dani and David who sought me out and brought me so much joy and make me feel so loved from so far away.
Finally, as I try to live each day embracing every moment God provides, I am reminded of how important this moment is and yet how quickly it is gone. I mostly have been reminded lately of how I am called to glorify God in every moment of every day because, as a good friend told me the other day, because the vale was torn "everything is holy to a Christian." We are not separate from God ever, but we are one with God and he is in everything so we are called to serve Him in everything. This is my mission.
Standing in awe of God's providence,
Sigourney
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| A wake up I will not soon forget. One of my favorite places on the planet. |
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