Wow! It’s crazy how even something as simple as logging back into this website could make me feel so sentimental. Boy, do I miss my Fellows and seeing them nearly every day of my life. Yes, yes, I am the Fellow who moved back home. I know what you’re all thinking: “Did all the other Fellows shun you and forbid you ever come back to the state of North Carolina?” Much to my surprise, the answer to that is no! In fact, to the best of my knowledge, they all still want to continue being friends. Of course, friendship has looked different long-distance, but my friends have put smiles on my face through phone calls, voice memos, letters, and even a weekend visit from Bailey and Evy (so special!) As a bonus, they are even allowing me to come back for a visit in just a few days! So, future fellows, keep this in your back pocket as a reminder that you CAN stay friends with the Fellows AND move home even if they all stay in Raleigh.
Now, I didn’t ever have a clear idea on what to write in my blog posts before, and this one is no different, so buckle up in anticipation that my thoughts may be all over the place. (also, I wrote an entire blog post I liked and then my computer shut down, so I guess God wanted things to be worded a little differently idk).
Several years ago, I heard a pastor in a sermon say the phrase “Wherever you are, be there.” Maybe I have even written about this exact phrase in another blog post, but for some reason it has really stuck with me. There’s a big difference between technically being in a physical space and being fully present in that space. As a currently (hopefully not for long) unemployed 23-year-old, though money is a close second, my most valuable resource is time. The call I felt to move home was less about my physical location and more about God asking me to be more open-handed and generous with my time in regard to my family.
In practice, this call has been slow and inconsistent. In fact, the majority of my days this summer have been spent in my EMT class, doing medical school applications, or just looking for something to do alone in my small midwestern hometown completely apart from my family. However, there has also been lots of “random” (never truly random with God) overlap with my family that I wouldn’t have had if I hadn’t been physically close. For example, I have been available when my brother has texted late Saturday night if I’d drive and come to church with him, I have had countless sweet nights with my mom where we stayed up too late laughing about something stupid, and I have gotten to share several meals with my dad and stepmom and even be around when a vacuum salesperson tried to sell them a ridiculously expensive vacuum (yes, apparently vacuum salespeople still exist). None of these things are monumental, not by a landslide. In fact, some of these may sound entirely insignificant, but I have been learning that these mundane things are what God has been using to build and rebuild relationships within my family.
Rather than try and wrap all of my summer up in a pretty bow for this blog post, I am going to just leave it how it is. My summer has been hard, and good, and disappointing, and so rewarding all at once, and I anticipate the coming year to be very similar.
Now for an entirely random way to end my post, I am going to share some pictures from my summer, because why not?!
Classic Maid of Honor and Best Man outfit swap for our reception entrance at my best friend’s wedding!
Ran my first half marathon! Basically died.
Bailey and Evy got a backstage island tour of the notorious Mackinac Island. No cars allowed. (I used to serve the governor here).
Just my mom and my brother. Aren’t they precious?
First the cool squad pic and then the professional EMT picture from my class this summer. Look out world, these people are nearly certified to save your lives.
Love you guys! Comment below which class pic was your favorite!
-Emma <3