I’ve been having so many good, happy days. I don’t realize it until I call a friend or meet someone and they ask me how this year is going. Suddenly all the goodness I’ve been sitting in bubbles to the surface and I feel ungrateful for having forgotten the lovely parts of life so easily. I think the hard parts of my days are like painting with a dark color, it has to be handled with precision or else it’ll consume the whole picture instead of highlighting the lighter, brighter colors as intended. And once it’s down on the page it’s very hard to lighten. All this to say, these weeks are such a mix of light and dark that sometimes I forget the lightness and brightness was there to begin with. In an effort to remember the good, I’m going to take a page from Lola’s b(log)ook and list where I’ve experience the good and lovely in the program.
Work: I’ve been told you rarely get a work experience where passion, gifts, and healthy environment coincide. I have that at Mission Triangle. I am so proud to tell people I work there. What they do matters deeply, what I do energizes me, and who I do it with feels too good to be true.
Class: My inner critic is loud, overbearing and nonstop. Normally in classes that expose where you need to improve (ie professional development, biblical literacy, spiritual discipline, wealth management) I walk away feeling anxious and like I’m already behind. The teachers and content are so grounded in Truth that instead I leave feeling excited and supported. The depth and breadth of substance is insane and it’s not lost on me how blessed I am to have these opportunities to learn and grow.
Volunteering: Kelly hugs me when she sees me. That means everything.
Youth: If I was in 8th grade I would want to be all of their friends. They are so uniquely beautiful. They make Sunday night easy.
Host Family: Derrick is a great listener and analyzer, I love it when he makes sassy jokes. Spencer is a boss. She always makes time to check in on me even though I’m convinced her life is 10x busier than mine.
Ashley: Asking for help has never felt so safe. I love laughing with her.
The Fellows: Better than I prayed for. I wish they all saw themselves like I see them. They are endlessly patient, gracious, wise, thoughtful, fun. Ik they’re probably reading this because they all read each other’s blogs apparently??? Too much time on your hands get outside. But if you guys are reading this, I don’t have words to describe the joy and beauty you’ve brought into my life. If you ever feel discouraged or alone (or just need an ego boost) ask me how I see you, it’s too much for me to write down in a blog.
Raleigh: I love walking around dusk, seeing the families and the light in the green trees. In those moments it feels like home. Nobody freak, but I think I may like it here…
Tessa