The one where I got a job

Over the last year, I started to form an idea in my head of the type of job I wanted. I never thought I would actually find that job. But I did! Last week I started my job at UNT. I am the counselor for international students going through the Intensive English Language Institute. That means that I get to help students from all over the world settle into life in the US and adjust to their new environment as they take English classes in order to be able to apply for admission to an American university.

I can't even begin to describe the special place my students have taken up in my heart, and it's only been a week. I have so much empathy and admiration for them and what they are attempting to do. The students are so receptive to my friendship and eager to practice their English skills, which are not very strong yet. Besides counseling, I also get to plan activities for the students to introduce them to American culture. Last week, I took 80 new students to Target to help them get all the supplies they needed to get settled. That was an adventure to say the least. I stood up at the front of the store to help students check out since for most it was their first time in an American store. I noticed that one of the Chinese girls was buying Poise pads, and I had an awkward moment of wondering whether I should tell her that she was buying adult diapers rather than feminine products, or whether I should just let her learn from the experience and not embarrass her in front of the other students. I ended up not saying anything. But she, along with all the other students coming to me with problems last week, reminded me what a difficult thing it is to go to another country and not speak the language. I remember having a hard time at grocery stores when I lived in Maastricht because I couldn't read labels on products. Once I ended up buying fabric softener instead of detergent because the pictures on the labels weren't enough to help be distinguish the product.

Anyways, I feel like God has used my experiences and my desires and interests to uniquely place me in a situation where I can minister to international students. They are desperately in need of friendship and kindness. At the beginning of the summer, I applied for some jobs that I knew I could get, but was never really excited about any of them. Now I see that, while it's difficult, waiting on God and his perfect timing is always worth it. He's had a plan all along. I'm so excited about the adventure he is taking me on. I can already tell that my job will never be boring.

Ecclesiastes 3:1

Life has been full since I arrived home. I've been dealing with a lot of emotions as I adjust to life in Texas and the realities of having to face life now as a financially independent adult. The day after I got home, my parents dropped my car insurance and cell phone bill in my lap and were like, "Here you go". My dad also announced I would have to start paying rent to live at home if I took too long to find a job. I understand, but it was a little much to dump all that on me before I had even been home for 48 hours.

Beyond that, our house was being renovated when I came home. This included turning my room into a guest room. I'm sad all my lime green, blue and purple is gone. I don't have a teenage room anymore. While this was being done, I was living in my brother's room, and my stuff is scattered throughout the house, garage and attic. It's been hard because even though I'm at home, I still feel live my existence is very temporary and unknown. I don't know how long I am going to be living at home, and it's going to be a pain to repack everything up after I just unpacked it when I do move out.

Nevertheless, I love being home and have had fun being with my family again. I've also been slowly but surely catching up with all my friends in the DFW area. Another new adjustment for me is having to transition to having friends scattered across the metroplex, state and country. There are so many people who live far away now that I miss. Is this the point in life when you transition to "adult friendships"? Where you see people every couple of years and just understand that you will always be friends, even when you don't see or talk to them regularly?

I've been using this time of transition to seek God and renew my relationship with him. I have to say, this could have been a difficult or stressful time for me, but I have had complete peace as I wait to see what direction He takes me.

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven.

I think I'm in a season of growth.