The End Has Come... and So Has the Beginning

I can't believe that it's already August 26. Two months ago I was sitting in Cameroun, being lazy reading books and anxious to start my summer working as the youth leader at Oak Hills Covenant Church in Vista, California. Now I am at the end. I have two events left and then it's adios. It's not goodbye in a final sort of way, which is somewhat of a comfort. I'll be back to visit my OHCC family about once a month, and I thank the Lord for that! I know that they'll always be a part of my life, so it's not goodbye. And yet, it is the end of a wonderful chapter in my life (however short it was). This summer I was given the freedom to be me, and I was given permission to make mistakes. I was provided with the opportunity to pour into students who in turn poured back into me. I was paid to do something I LOVE. And now the end has come.

I'm headed back to a life I love. A life of friends and of learning. I am at peace with this move. It hurts to leave my students when they don't yet have a youth pastor lined up for the fall, but I trust that God and all of the amazing volunteers will take care of them. But I'm nervous for what this year holds. It's senior year, I'm living off campus, I have new roommates, I'm taking graduate level courses, and I'm going from a steady pay check to the possibility of working a little every week. There are a lot of unknowns and I have been thinking about them too much. I over analyze EVERYTHING. Some people think my organization is a good thing, and it is to an extent. But when I have too much time I start freaking out about everything, a trait that I am fairly certain I inherited from my wonderful Nana :) I'm not usually a spontaneous person, but I am learning that I function much more healthily when I am. The only issue is that does not really work when other people are depending on you. So here I am, a little bit freaking out about a year that I KNOW will be amazing.

Here's why it will be great: I am living with one of my longest standing friends in the world (Kristina Noren). I am living with my amazing roommate from the past two years. I am living with two girls who I barely know but can't wait to get to know and learn from . Some of my best friends are back from study abroad. I have new friendships just in the beginning phases that I am excited to build up more and more. I only have to work when I WANT to work. I have my Camerounian teacher again. I get to start my masters degree for FREE as part of my undergrad tuition (saving me about $4000). I have an amazing mentor who I can stay in touch with even if I am far away from her now. Oh, and I have a God who loves me and is taking care of me on top of everything else that I have and have not mentioned!

So here's to the end and the beginning. I can't wait for the adventures that will come. And at the end all I can say is "Parting is such sweet sorrow."