The Afterlife [of College I Mean]

Disregarding the fact that I don't even know the last time I wrote a blog post -- 

Well, college graduation has come and gone. Here I sit with a Bachelors of English. And, because of the grace of God, I also can call proudly call myself an employed college graduate. 

Never in my wildest dreams did I dare to think that I would have a job within a month of graduation. All throughout undergrad, my approach to thinking about a career was telling myself over and over that English degrees were super versatile and that I could do whatever I wanted. As graduation approached I much less confidently told myself I could find a job. 

Job searching is always a night mare. Where is someone even supposed to start? I scoured the local classifieds, continually looked out for "help wanted" signs, and searched every department store's website for job openings locally. Finally I broke down and joined a job search website. I scrolled through several pages before I even found one for which I thought I might be qualified. 

Even after I finally found a job I wanted to send an application and my resume, it feels like potential employers make applicants jump through hoop after hoop (after hoop). 

In summation of that long story, I don't like trying to find a job. 

*steps onto soap box*

I spent a good portion of the 50 minute drive to my interview just praying that the Lord would help me deal with whatever happened with my job search in the best way possible. Sometimes we have to learn lessons with our failures. I told him that I knew He had my back, and that I knew whatever happened would ultimately be for His gain. The Lord is going to use my life in any and every way that I let him, my job included. 

I've never felt particularly called to any certain profession. I believe that the Lord tells and leads some people very specific things for life. Other people just have to continue working in the trenches. We don't all require some great and defining life calling in order to dedicate our lives to God's ultimate commandment: spreading His word; making disciples. 

*steps down off of soap box*

I have now completed my first week of post college [big girl] employment. I have a desk that I can put pictures and personal belongings on. I have a chair that I am still working on getting the settings all configured just perfect. And I have co-workers and "people from work." It is absolutely crazy. 

This is the time of my life that I never thought would come. It was never hard for me to imagine middle school, high school, or even college, and what I thought my life would be like at those points. The time has come now that I never really looked forward to and tried to plan out. 

All I can say about my lack-of-a-plan is that I am so excited to see what comes. Sure, things got a bit hazy there for a while, and I seriously questioned why I spent four years of my life and racked up quite the chunk of chain in loans just for a piece of paper. But college was the best experience of my life. I met so many amazing people who helped to poke, prod, pull, stretch, and define the person I am today. I gained valuable academic and life knowledge from incredible teachers who have made forever impacts on my life. Because of all of these people, I can sit here and write this with a genuine smile on my face about the fact that I don't really have a plan. 

Sure, I could take the time to draft up a beautiful timeline to map out my 5, 10, and 15 year plans. 

But what I have certainly found out about plans is that God thinks they are hilarious. He most definitely likes to laugh at my plans. I've found that its much easier on my heart, mind, and soul to simply laugh along with Him, and tackle whatever He puts in front of me instead. 

Nome, Alaska

Alaska is the most incredible state. The native culture is beautiful. 

I was so incredibly blessed to get the chance to serve in Nome, Alaska in January. I went with a team from my university and we met up with a team of women from Alaska Missions. Our purpose was to help Alaska Missions put on their annual Women's Conference for the women of Nome and the surrounding areas. This time of year, Alaska has very little daylight, around four hours in the middle of the day. It is a very dark time physically and spiritually. We were there to be encouragers for these women. 

Never did I think I would leave this place full of encouragement. Some of the women we met have led incredibly difficult lives. Many of the people living in these villages have experienced sexual abuse from the people around them that they trusted. Sometimes their abusers are family members. Sometimes they were betrayed by a neighbor or other trusted adult. Alcoholism is very high among these communities. The suicide rate among men in these communities is also incredibly high. These people have a lot of hurt and suffering around them. 

Despite all of the evil they face every day, the women we met at the conference praise Jesus with every cell in their bodies. They know that the Lord is faithful and will save their people from this vicious cycle.

 

Our team was so blessed to get to meet these women. Alaska Missions brought us together as a team of women from all over the country and of all different ages. The native women couldn't believe we'd traveled so far to be with them. I would do it again in a heartbeat. Alaska stole a piece of my heart.