Re-Entry: 3rd Month in America

    After enjoying our large camping trip in Alabama, I headed north.  The first week in Erie, I stayed in my brother's house while he and his wife and two youngest went on a trip.  His older two boys were in school and I was there in case they needed anything.  They have become very independent young guys and are even able to cook a few meals if necessity calls on it.  After my brother returned, I took a trip to Wisconsin to see my home church there.  This church has a special place in my heart because God connected me with them in a special way.  While living there and working for a local camp I was able to be apart of the orchestra, prayer meeting, and young adults gatherings.  I attended a Perspectives class in the spring of 2014 with about 8 other people from the church.  Then I became a member, was "adopted" by two small groups who committed to pray for me, and was sent out to SE Europe.  This group prayed for me and encouraged me over the next two years as I invested my life in the work in Europe.   They shared in the hardship of hearing the news of my dad's cancer by sending a care package.  They also sent special Christmas cookie supplies for our girls group.  Last week as I was in Wisconsin, these two small groups hosted an "open house" and provided the refreshments so people could come and hear about the stories of God's faithfulness while I was away.  I am so thankful for all the special people who God connected me with in Wisconsin!
    Amazingly enough, just before I left for Wisconsin, I got a job and had work orientation for a retail position just about 10 miles from where my brother and his family lives.  So, last week after returning from Wisconsin, I worked my first 3 days at the store!  God provides.  I am so grateful for how He provided this job at just the right time.
    While on my trip to Wisconsin, I got to stop by my sister, Miriam's, house.  I stayed overnight on the way there and back.  It was a great blessing to be able to spend time with her and her family.  It is nice to be able to live just 3 hours from her now.
    This month has been full of changes of moving and starting a new job and being with new people.  Although there have been the regular challenges of adjusting to a new place, in my heart I have felt a peace that is deeper than any change I am going through.  Even through I am not "settled" yet, I have a settled feeling in my heart because I know I can trust God.  I know that whatever things come, He will never leave nor forsake me (Heb 13:5b).  I know that just like He has always done in the past, He will provide for my needs.  I know also that hardship is an expected part of life.  I have come to expect that some things will be hard.  Instead of letting hardship blindside me or pull me down, I am learning to just dig my feet in and learn to face it and move forward.  I am learning (and I say this with a continuous verb tense here on purpose). . .I am learning to give thanks even in hardship.  For example, if my job makes me tired, instead of complaining, I am learning to thank God because He provided a job.  Some people do not even have this.  If I must learn to settle into a new place "again," I am choosing to embrace it, instead of resist or complain.  I am learning to find contentment in the moment.  Being in the second poorest country in Europe, taught me a lot about living in the present and choosing to move forward despite challenges.
    My time in PA has not really been too challenging.  But change always brings challenges.  So, I am learning to just expect it, enjoy the process, and to move ahead with hope and trust in God!
    Already, I had the chance to go to a "Fall Family Fun" party and also connect with people at church.  So, I am thankful and looking forward to more of what God has in store in the coming months!