Welcome to February’s blog! Here I write, exhausted from a month that was jam-packed with so many major events, yet in reflection, it flew by. I could easily sit here and give you a play-by-play, and honestly, I do think it’d be interesting (maybe just to me), but instead of that, I feel the call draw near to an overwhelming sense of gratitude as I exit February.
This program has so much to offer me. It can feel overwhelming at times, and this month, especially, there was so much to absorb, and still I am very grateful for it. Career and calling retreat left me feeling rich in knowing more about myself, how the Lord views success, and calls us to mobilize change in our community. Our classes, where we learned about finances, professional development, and writing our genograms (WOOF), and much more, all held so much and opened doors for even more exploration.
The genogram was really challenging for me. I had to step out of my comfort zone, in fear and in knowing that the Lord was actively carrying me through. I’m grateful for a strong support system, especially the fellows for seeing me, praying for me, and cheering me on as I did hard things this month. I am also grateful for Ashley and for how she knows just the right moments to push you more when she knows what you’re capable of. I am grateful for a community that calls me higher.
Obviously I’m grateful for Simas. He threw me the best birthday party EVER, cooking for about 30 people and roping all his roommates and my bestie Emma in to help in whatever ways they could. I felt so cared for and loved. To sit at a long dinner table amongst the people that I love so much, eat food that was delicious and made with love, and revel in the ways the Lord has shown me his tender love for 23 years was exactly what my soul needed. I weep when I think about it, especially Simas’ wipeboard that had his cooking plan that started at NOON. Anyways, he’s awesome, and has shown up for me so well.
I am grateful for my friends. I went wedding dress shopping with Emma, Ellia, and Ava, and to my surprise, found my dress at Anthropologie! And I bought it, thanks mama! (check that off the wedding to-do list). What a rush, and thank GOD because I could not keep shopping. But for real, my friends and my mom are the best, and I am again just overwhelmed with gratitude for how they show up and celebrate me.
My sweet fellow girlies as well <3 thank you for making my music video dreams come true! For real, I love these girls more and more every day. Women’s retreat breathed air into my lungs. I love girlhood and the precious time I get with these six girls.
Gratitude! My cup overflows. May the Lord remind me of this daily.
Thanks for reading, until next time.
Carsyn Gilmore