Y’ALL the sun has been OUT, Raleigh is GREEN, and the pickleball courts have been POPPING. Truly nothing makes me come alive like some warm and sunny weather. This past month I have gone on numerous long walks around my neighborhood where I have been overwhelmed by the beauty of nature, matched with a feeling of intense gratitude that I get to live here. I love the reminder of God’s goodness that I get from enjoying his creation and remembering he created me with the same intentionality. Raleigh is beautiful in the Spring and the luscious green leaves everywhere have been giving me life!
April has also been an active month in terms of work and activities. Between Holy Week, figuring out plans for post fellows, and squeezing in all the must-dos on my Raleigh bucket list, April has kept me on the grind. The good news is that Jesus rose from the grave regardless of if all my work got done, we found a place to live after fellows (and I have a job), and we even fit in a spontaneous trip to the beach on a random Saturday afternoon, praise God!! Despite the weird phenomenon where life seems to start speeding up as summer approaches, I have been trying my best to soak up every moment and not take for granted these last days of the program. THAT IS RIGHT, we are t-minus 7 days left of being a Raleigh Fellow, WILD.
With the end of sight, this month has also been one of reflection and anticipation. I truly can not express enough just how sweet these past nine months have been. Since the day I arrived, I have felt nothing but welcomed. It is so clear to me that the Lord called me here to Raleigh and he has taken such good care of me every step of the way. He has shown me an exceptional portrayal of the body of Christ through our church community, He has taught me what faithful Christian leadership looks like through my church staff that I have the privilege to work with, He has given me great friends to laugh with and be challenged by, and He has taught me how to draw close to Him and rest in His comfort. This year was not without its hard moments, but I still have nothing but good things to say about it! There were lessons learned in all of it and I definitely think I am coming out a stronger version of myself because of it.
I cannot wait to really settle down into this life I have begun to build here! Thanks to anyone that has been a part of this journey with me and for anyone who has been reading along through it all. PEACE OUT BLOG!!
-Linsey