Oh December, what to even say!
I suppose since the end of December serves as a sort of halfway point in our time as Fellows, I finally feel like I have fully developed thoughts and opinions about the program. As others have said, I still don’t know that there’s a straightforward way to explain “what a Fellow is,” but there is plenty of room to speak about my experience as one.
Firstly, I am fully convinced that Raleigh Fellows is likely the best group of Fellows you could decide to be in if you were going to sign up for the mild insanity that is a Fellows program. Not that I don’t think there are probably dope people doing programs all over, but I do have to say that in my entirely biased opinion, these are some of the dopest humans around. I genuinely have been so impacted by the way that these other 13 Fellows (plus Ashley and several “honorary Fellows” like Sam, Chris, Eric etc.) balance a deep commitment to and pursuit of the Lord and ALSO make it a point to not take themselves too seriously. It has been incredibly refreshing to be in a context where we can have intense, important, and personal conversations about our walk with Jesus AND laugh at times in prayer when others might deem it inappropriate. I just think that if a group of Christians are going to miss the mark on being too serious or too silly, that this feels like the direction to miss in. I also know that it is not the direction most other groups of Christians (or even Fellows) tend to miss, and I think it makes them less approachable and accessible.
As for the city of Raleigh… sure I like it. I won’t lie and write rave reviews that it is the best place in the U.S. to live, but I really have enjoyed the experience of a new place after the initial shock of adjustment wore down. The reality is that my experience of the city of Raleigh is pretty limited to a few places that I do life in weekly, and while they are special to me, it’s more about the people than the location that makes me love them. On the flip side, this month was the first time since the beginning of October that I got to be back in Michigan and the first time since the program started that I got to be home, and I was honestly curious how much I’d really miss Michigan. I got my answer when, as I was finishing my 12-13 hour drive home for break, I saw the first Michigan license plate with MSU stickers and actually started crying. Then, as I passed the Welcome to Michigan sign in the snow, I teared up all over again. Emotional? Yes. Dramatic? Maybe a little. Yet, there’s something special and important about a place that feels like home, and for me that means snow and freezing temperatures, crappy roads, and the Midwest mentality during the holidays.
There’s plenty more to share about, but I think what likely will speak louder than my ability to share my experiences of other parts of the program is what I am looking forward to most back in Raleigh:
My host parents, Marsha and Harry, who are some of the sweetest, most caring and consistent people I know, who I can’t wait to see again.
The other Fellows, ARE YOU KIDDING?? I hope you could tell from my blog post that I LOVE those nerds, and I seriously can’t wait to debrief break with everyone. (Special shoutout to our first Girl’s Night back)
Work, weirdly enough though I am not necessarily pumped for the work itself, I am actually excited just to catch up with my co-workers and hopefully be a help in catching up on work from the holidays.
Tutoring! I didn’t expect to enjoy tutoring with Neighbor 2 Neighbor nearly as much as I do, but I cannot wait to see Tyler again after break!
Basically, there’s lots to look forward to and I am excited to jump back in with people who truly feel like friends and community.
Love,
Emma <3