A little more than six months ago I had just turned in my senior year Plenary Enrichment Program paper for the RC Honors Program. This paper was my reflection on my last year of college and how college as a whole had changed me as a person. I titled this paper "Jumping Into the Abyss," because at that point in time I had no idea where I was going to be or what I was going to be doing. I could very well be at seminary somewhere right now, working on Greek homework instead of sitting at my computer in Poland having soup for dinner. But I'm not at seminary. I'm in Poland. What a difference six months makes.
Six months ago today, April 1st, 2009, I stormed into the Chaplain's Office at RC and said "Everyone's life is coming together and mine is falling apart," and demanded to have an appointment with someone for that afternoon. And it honestly felt like everything was falling apart. I had no health insurance, an expired debit card, an unfinished Honors Project, no life plan for after graduation, and more stress than I knew how to handle. This was also the day that I started my applications to seminaries because I needed to have something in my control. My life didn't fall apart though; it was just coming together more slowly than I wanted it to. What a difference six months makes.
The time between then and now has been a busy journey. I graduated from college! I turned 23 with some of my best friends by my side. I got a job! I drove the longest distance I have driven by myself to TN to Nickolas, and then worked a VA Synod youth event. I suffered through my first and second flat tires. I got to be a part of the wedding for two of my closest friends, but missed four other weddings. I went to NOLA for the ELCA youth event and smoked a cigar walking Bourbon Street. Two weeks were spent at Lutherlyn. I rode a train for the first time by myself to go to Boston to Nickolas. I have said countless goodbyes and shed countless tears. I moved across the world. What a difference six months makes.
In six more months I will still be in Poland and I will have made a decision about what seminary I will attend in Fall 2010. However, who knows what else will happen between now and then. It's all an adventure, a life changing adventure in faith, to quote Lutherlyn's motto. But the moral of the story for today is: what a difference six months makes.
Peace,
Colleen
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
You visited me at work that day, too, at the front desk in the CLT, and told me about not having health insurance. I remember it! I'm so happy that you're having such a cool adventure in Poland! I miss you but am glad that we can email! Thanks for reading my essay :)
ReplyDelete