Last winter, I took a walk. I had been reading some blogs that said some really fresh things, or maybe old things in fresh ways, and I got off the couch to walk and process. It also happened to be one of the coldest nights of the season--we had a wind chill warning in effect that night but I wasn't aware of it until I came back home half an hour later. I processed and prayed about many things that night, but one of the things I came home with was sense of the purpose of this season in my life. And that was "Little Adventures." Going places, trying new things and discovering this abundant LIFE that God has given me.
Sometimes I've been consciously aware of choosing these little adventures and sometime not. Included in these adventures has been taking myself on a real vacation for the first time. I drove out to Manistee, MI and spend two nights in a hotel that ended up being the perfect cozy little room, with the goal for those few days being spending time at the beach, reading, taking photos, walking, exploring. Just being. It was awesome. I also took an archery class last month. It was a lot of fun! It's also meant going to the gym. And it's also meant trying new driving routes places, and it's also meant going to new stores. For instance, I am slowly shifting my grocery shopping to Kroger instead of Meijer, just because the environment is calmer to me. I also tried to go to the liquor store when I wanted to buy some wine instead of going to Meijer (small shops like that can make me uncomfortable if I feel like the owner is watching me all the time, especially when I probably look like an 18-year-old in a liquor store when I'm not), but the place ended up being kind of sketchy, so I didn't. It's been fun. :)
There are a lot of things that have brought me to this place where this next season is one for little adventures. I think two of the big things is finally getting a good grasp on the importance of taking care of myself, as a person, and the other being a realization that God has led me through some interesting times over the past 4-5 years that have all led me here, to a place where I am happy. That God is with me, and for me.
This is an important season as I look ahead to the next one: I'm almost done with my master's. Oh my gosh, I'm almost done with my master's. Which means: I have three months to write a thesis and defend it. Oh. my. gosh. I am applying for jobs. Like, real ones. It's kind of terrifying. And there are times when it is really overwhelming. But I know that when I step back from that, I know that it will all be okay. I know it will. Because God knows best what is for me, and he will lead me. I know that it may not look like I expect, but even still, God is good, and has good things for me.
