HELLO BLOG WORLD!! I want to start off by letting you into my mind in terms of my thematic vision for my posts here. I’ve decided to structure each month’s content based on an alliteration with each month’s name, ergo Settling-In September for this post. So let’s jump in!
We’re four weeks in and slowly slowly slowly I’m starting to feel settled. We came in, hit the ground running, and I feel like we’ve been running at a steady pace ever since. It has been hard to stop, pause, and let it sink in that this is really my life now. The transition into this new life stage has not quite felt real. Amidst the new faces, new city, new church, new job, new home, it has been the slow progression of creating a routine and comfortability with all the newness as I feel myself slowly settling-in. Leading up to arriving in Raleigh, I had an inner peace that this place was going to be a joyous and safe space for the next year. I think through all the chaos of the last month the consistent source of peace and comfort has come from the nine faithful fellows (and our fearless leader Ashley) that I get to be alongside on this journey. This group is something special. It feels intentional and God-ordained that we were chosen to be here. We went on a five day lake trip our first week here and we joke that the bonding that took place at the lake has made us all co-dependent. The community that fellows blesses you with is the exact reason I was attracted to the program and it has proven to be what feels so special about being here. I think the cliche Hobby Lobby sign that says, “family is what makes a house a home” embodies the sentiment of what I am feeling, even though I shudder at the cheesiness. I have only settled into this new space because of how excited I am to be around this group of people.
For most things, time is the factor that controls how settled-in one may feel. With each day of work at the church I have a better grasp of my responsibilities and tasks I need to accomplish. Driving to the same places time after time allows me to finally be able to navigate the city without turning on maps. With every week that repeats the same activities a natural routine builds to make this all feel like ordinary life. But the people that are here with me are what transforms Raleigh from being the place I moved to into the place I want to be in! The church community has overwhelmed me with their capacity to love and welcome us in. The former fellows have quickly swooped in to walk alongside us and guide us through every twist and turn this year might throw at us. And Ashley has given us endless advice, laughs, and dance breaks to help us shed our fear, discomfort, and awkwardness as we move into so much unknown. As we close out September the newness of it all is fading just like the summer heat and I am left feeling calm and comforted just as the crisp and familiar fall air glides in.
Well that’s it for this month! Blog one, CHECK!! Can’t wait to see what October turns into…. Outstanding October? Outrageous? Ordinary? Tune back in next month to see!
-Linsey