One Year Later....

When I was a little girl, I was absolutely fascinated with writing stories. Not the princess in the castle being guarded by the dragon kind, but the kind that could really happen. Usually my stories involved a girl and her cat and some awesome feat they accomplished together and almost every time I included an elapsed period of time. Ever so innocently I would write "One Year Later" and carry on with story of said feline.

I never thought much about what happened in that year because, at least to my young mind, it didn't really matter. All I cared about was getting to the point where I could write "They lived happily ever after".

This last year, however, has been one of those "one year later" kinds of years. 365 days ago I was a totally different person than I am today. No I didn't win the lottery or dye my hair (or even cut it for that matter). From all exterior viewpoints, I'm pretty much the same. The inside, however, now that is where the change has taken place!

May 2011: I was a college graduate, fresh off the college life and ready to take on the world. I was going to move home for a month or two, three at the most and then be on my way to Michigan where I would live near Saline and somehow God would make it where I could be involved there and at another church. I was going to live in an apartment with a dog, find a roommate who would become my close friend, and wait patiently for Prince Charming to come. And of course, I'd have a little fun in the meantime.

One Year Later.....

May 2012: I'm still a college graduate but not so sure about this taking on the world thing. It's a big place and it will knock you down relentlessly at times. I still live at home, in the room I grew up in. I had a few interviews in Michigan, none of which have landed a job. I still work at the same job I did in highschool......Dairy Queen. I did get a dog, however as much as I love her, she is not the obedient lover that I imagined. My closest friends all seemed to move away or get married in the last year. And Prince Charming...well I haven't located him yet.

Point being, the "one year later" it does matter! I never ever thought I would be here, and I have fought it tooth and nail! I've changed though. I realize the importance of trusting God more than I ever have. I understand that His answer to my prayers looks nothing like I imagined, yet it is good! Working the same job that I did in highschool is less than ideal but guess what! I've met some amazing people and had some truly engaging conversations. My journey has looked nothing like I thought that it would and I still struggle with feeling forgotten at times.

God is using me here. I dont know why and I dont know for how long, but I do know that He has not released me from this town yet. So until he does I am content to do His will here for as long as He needs, even if that means I work at Dairy Queen until I'm 30.

I dont know where I will be one year from now, but I do know something.

I will definitely enjoy the ride!