A New Chapter in the Life Book.
Growing up is so bittersweet. Recently two friends are starting on their mission journeys. Miss K left for sunny Mexico. I will miss her sunshiny spirit and her giggles. Dearest 2 for $5 is headed to Mozambique for a two year term. I’ll miss the late night heart-to-hearts and her willing ear to hear all my troubles. I hope that this is the best chapter of their life books so far!
Another friend is engaged! Fingers crossed that I am able to fly home for that. We shall see how everything pans out.
I attended my last Kidron church service for the time being. It felt surreal. I looked around at all the peoples who have been in my life all these years. They will very likely change in the time I’m gone and I am sure the kids I taught will be so much more grown. As I told someone, it simply feels like the right time to make this life change.
How have I accumulated so many material things? Who knew one person could keep so many things in one small room and bathroom? I just managed to stuff everything into the back of my little hatch back with just enough room to see through the back window. I even got my inflatable paddle board in! I have no idea how I will load it all back in at the end of the year. My sister worried she would have to pack all her clothes into a backpack, but we managed to fit in the duffle bag instead.
Friday dawned. The car was loaded. The goodbyes to the family were said. Lex and I buckled in and started the 12 hour drive to Kansas City. Aside from nearly being decimated by a semi truck and some tire pressure problems, it was a fairly uneventful trip. We got ourselves situated in the hotel and then went out and walked the streets and got some Shake Shack.
Saturday morning we went through the National World War One museum. If you are at all a history geek, it is highly worth your time. There are many, many artifacts and even a mock up of what it felt like to stand in the trenches. Those trenches looked like a terrible place to be. The things that people had to go through is sobering to think of.
Italian was the choice for lunch. The little family restaurant we stopped at felt like a touch of Italy. The fresh handmade pasta was delicious! With full bellies and gas tank, we headed off in search of my place of dwelling for the next nine months. Nearly three hours later, the school came into view and beside it, behind a wall of green trees, was my home. My board chairman and his wife were there waiting to show us around. It is a very spacious house, built by grandparents for family get together and children coming home. I will be living on the main floor with one of my cos. My room has two windows that let in lots of light. I love it. Now I can finally have plants in my room! Each of we teachers have our own bathrooms. The kitchen is airy and in the evenings we sit in the living room and chat while listening to the bugs and the train in the distance. We have the backyard of dreams with a little creek and a bridge. There is a back deck with a table and chairs and I have already spent mornings there with my thoughts and my breakfast. The basement houses my other co’s room and a spare room. It also has a ping pong which could be great fun.
Here’s a funny little fact about the Sugar Creek teachers. If you drive onto our yard, you will three new model Honda Civics, one black hatchback, one dark blue sedan, and my lighter blue hatchback.
Our school is the perfect size. My classroom has a HUGE window that looks out on the playground and lets in all the morning sun. We have a cook at school and the Sugar Creek teachers never have to pack a lunch. They just eat the earlier days leftovers on the days the cooks aren’t in. What a nice break to not have to pack lunches.
Now let’s yap about central Kansas. It is actually prettier than I expected. It is very green due to the abundance of the recent rains. As someone said, “Kansas has the best thunderstorms!” I will have to agree. This land reminds me of where my mother was born and raised, South Dakota & I love South Dakota sooo I think I will love it here. The people aren’t actually as scary as they are made out to be. They are made out of friendly stuff. How crazy that soon these people will not just be faces and names, but family and friends. It will take a bit to get used to seeing Mennonites everywhere you go. No, I am not kidding you. Walmart is for sure crazy. In the short time I have been here, I have been to Walmart many times. Aside from one occasion that we buzzed in and out for paper clips, I have met Mennonites every time! One day for lunch, four separate groups of people came to the restaurant we were at and they were all from different congregations! On Sunday evenings with the youth, it is hard to decide where to eat as there are other youth groups or young couples at the restaurants or pickleball courts you want to be at. They actually don’t hang out as much as I thought they did.
My classroom is finally all set up. The only things left are to study my lessons and lesson plan which looks pretty big. We will go step by step for now. The day came to drop off the sister and I am now on my own. How scary but how exciting!
And then it happens…
One day you wake up and you’re in this place.
You’re in this place where everything feels right.
Your heart is calm.
Your soul is light.
Your thoughts are positive.
Your vision is clear.
You’re at peace.
At peace with where you’ve been.
At peace with what you’ve been through,
& at peace with where you’re headed.
Because you know Who guides you.