Welllllcome back to the blog!
This will be my second blog post since starting fellows. I’ve officially lived in Raleigh for 2 months now. It has been different than how I thought living in NC would be. The beginning of this month was challenging because I wasn’t sure how much I really liked Raleigh. I had to remind myself to give the city grace because it is new and unfamiliar. As I brought this to God, He reminded me that He wants me in Raleigh for a reason. That He has called me here for a purpose (one that I’m still figuring out), but to trust Him and rest in His presence here.
God has also provided new beginnings and exciting opportunities to make roots. As the month has continued on, I’ve been finding little spots around the city that I love. I’ve felt like I am starting to make this place my own. Sola coffee is my new favorite coffee shop (someone go with me, pls & thank u). Their seasonal lattes are actually the best. I finally found a beautiful outdoor space to be in nature. Shout out the rose garden near NC State! There are so many roses of all varying colors there, plus multiple large trees. I discovered I really like trees. Lastly, I’ve been loving this brew yard called Bowstring. There’s live music there which is something that makes me feel so alive. Also lots of fun draft beers to try (I am now a beer girly as y’all know). Though it is hard, God has been so good to me in Raleigh and He is providing abundantly. It’s been really exciting to find new places in a city that I’m learning to love.
I also wanted to talk about my friend Meg and her relationship with her father. Her dad, David Spickard is one of the Raleigh Fellows’ professors. He teaches our Just Leadership class which has been one of the most impactful classes I’ve ever taken. David aka “Dad” (the fellows felt this was the only right nickname to give him) is an incredible picture of humility, what it means to not only listen, but to listen well, and how to lead with a heart of justice. David creates a space in class to be vulnerable, real, and challenge societal norms. The way Meg has embraced this unique dynamic is so admirable. I see so much care, togetherness, and leadership in David and Meg’s relationship. It is a beautiful picture of a father teaching and shepherding his daughter (and now us too). It is a relationship I am grateful to observe and be a part of.
So what am I learning here in Raleighwood?
That’s what the locals are calling it at least (so me, I’m a local). I am learning how to slow down, build margin into my life, and how to be interruptible. This is a lesson I’ve been trying to learn for years now, but I finally feel like I’m really living it out. The fellows have done a great job in affirming me in this belief too. I really try to be present in each moment of my day and take it all in. To intentionally stop, lift my eyes, and pay attention to what God is doing. It kind of feels like I am stopping to smell the roses. Like on the path of life, I am walking slower, leaving more time in the “in-betweens,” not rushing through it, and stopping to appreciate the beauty around me. So I’ll leave this as an encouragement to each of you: A reminder to slow down and rest in His presence.
Now let’s talk about what I discovered in October.
Things to know:
Not only can you kill cockroaches but they can fly
Make sure to check which chipotle leftovers are yours (shout out Linda May)
I really like trees
Hunter is a great road trip buddy
You can dream with God (God cares about your life today & your time on earth)
I’m not as big of a Taylor Swift fan as I thought… the girl fellows go so hard in this
October REPORT:
R- I’m reading The Enneagram Guide to Waking Up & Psalms
E- I’m eating toasted plain bagels with cream cheese
P- I’m playing When I was Younger by Colony House
O- I’m obsessed with going to concerts (4 this month!!)
R- I recommend using clarifying shampoo
T- I’m treating myself by taking a second to be present and take in the moment
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” – James 1:2-4
With all the love, Maddie Roberts
