It was a summer I would never, ever forget. It was the summer everything began. It was the summer I became a Fellow. Because for the first time, I felt it. Community, I mean" -an original quote by Peyton Odum.
Yep, that’s me - Peyton! A few months ago, I received an interesting text message. It read “I know last time I saw you, you were still looking for jobs. Have you reached any kind of conclusions there?” Naturally, I wanted to respond with something along the lines of “Dude…of course!! My inbox is FLOODED with job offers from across the entire country”. For context, I don’t believe anyone with a degree in Sport Management is saying that soooooo I pretended to have a few solid leads, but still open to new opportunities. Little did I know that a few phone calls later & a meal from Chick-fil-A would be just enough to convince Peyton Odum to become a Raleigh Fellow.
At the time, it seemed a bit spontaneous (which makes a lot of sense now that we’ve confirmed I’m ESFP - courtesy of the Myers Briggs test). Everything was going pretty well for me, at least on the surface. Incredible internships, working part-time in the NHL and walking across stage with all the fancy cords around my neck - what more could I ask for? The only issue - I felt so alone and distant from God. My soul longed for community …my heart longed to be seen. It doesn’t make sense that I’m here, but I’m unbelievably grateful that I am.
I realize this chapter of my life is just beginning, yet it doesn’t feel that way. I walked into a room full of strangers just a few weeks ago, and now I’m binge watching the Summer I Turned Pretty with my new best friends. Ashamedly, I’m also listening to Taylor Swift in my free time - not exactly what I prayed for, BUT here I am. It’s as if every single part of my life is changing - which is kinda what I prayed for now that I’m thinking about it. To make things easier, I will list a few of those life updates below…
1.) Started a new job - Marketing, Communications & Outreach Coordinator at NeighborHealth Center - sounds fancy right? I even have my own business cards woohoo!
2.) Moved into a house with a host family - The moment I walked into Ann intensely watching college football and using words like “transfer portal” and “pass interference” was the moment I knew this would be a GREAT year. Jim is pretty cool too.
3.) Became a mentor at Neighbor to Neighbor - I’ve absolutely loved serving my student during our afterschool program. In the brief time I’ve been mentoring, a genuine relationship has grown from simply getting to know, listen and understand someone who is growing up in a much different situation than I did.
4.) Leading Student Ministry - Let’s be honest, middle & high school boys can be challenging to say the least, but sharing the Gospel & seeing it resonate might be the most rewarding thing ever.
New job, new opportunities and new friends…crazy right? God has been so faithful and sweet in this new season - continuing to cut off every branch of mine that doesn’t bear fruit, and pruning every branch that does so they will produce even more. None of this is easy, but it makes my heart happy knowing that I am surrounded by people who see me fully, yet still choose to love me.
SEPTEMBER HIGHLIGHTS…
-Trip to Ashley’s lake house
-Sharing my testimony & crying through it all
-Guy’s night at the Canes game
-Round Table
-LUMINEERS CONCERT…best night of my life…perhaps
-Making new friends!
Until next time,
-Pey
