Time to Go...

Well, my car is packed up and my time in Nashville has come to an end for now. A few short months ago I was nursing a great disappointment and frustration that things had not worked as I thought they would, but this summer has been extraordinary proof that God never closes one door without opening another, and never without purpose. For multiple reasons I was supposed to land in Nashville for these nine weeks. I feel like I have grown in maturity, spirituality, and confidence. I am confident now that I know what I am to do with my life, and that I am capable of succeeding at it, as well. I will miss my new friends, both young and old. One of my favorties was a little old lady I refer to as "the tornado." Never in my wildest dreams could I imagine someone could be so destructive in such a short amount of time. I learned to be very skeptical of nap time. On several occasions my little friend would go to nap and it never failed when it was time to wake her for dinner, I would find her and her room to be in utter chaos. She would hide her shoes, put on multiple pairs of socks, empty her dresser drawers, pull off her bed covers, etc, etc, etc. It was a sight to see. I usually spent great deals of time cleaning up her destruction. And her reasoning was always so incoherent. I know it is sad, but she always seemed so proud of herself so I'd smile and say "Well, it looks like you got the job done! Now lets go to dinner." The selfish side of me is sad that while I will miss so many of them, they will not remember to give me a second thought. I guess it is for the best. I also believe it has taught me true humility. It is a test of one's self to continuously work in an environment when recognition of one's best work is hardly acknowledged. But that is what we are always supposed to do. We don't love and care and nurture for the recognition, we do it because it is what God commands of us. I still can't help but think my little friend favored me over some of the others. Haha. One night one of the workers gave her a hug and she said "please don't do that," and then took my hand for me to take her to bed. On the day I said goodbye I asked her for a hug and she stood up, gave me a big hug, and told me she loved me. When I turned around, two of the other residents were standing with arms open wide to give me a hug, as well. I hadn't told them I wasn't coming back, there wasn't a whole lot of point. They also didn't know why my friend had just hugged me, they were just following cues. I hugged them and cherished the moment, nonetheless. Needless to say, my heart has grown tremendously in nine weeks. I know there are countless ways that we can share God's love around this world. I have found my way and I trust that God will be opening doors for me again soon. I can't wait to see where they take me. My prayer is that I am willing always to walk through them.