525, 600 minutes...

As the song from Broadway's "Rent" asks, "How DO you measure a year?" I've been asking myself that question as I'm commemorating my 1 year marker since I returned from my overseas life, which seems just as though it was yesterday and a dream all at the same time.

When I returned to the States, I was angry, frustrated, and confused, and full of reverse culture shock. I had little direction and many questions. I was living with a heart on one side of the world with a body on the other. Honestly, it took all year for God to do the things that needed to be done with me. Time to reconnect with family and friends. Time to make important decisions about my future. Time to rest. Time to work hard and learn. Time to refocus. Time to share my experiences with others. I had the opportunity to share approx 18 times and in 3 different states! What an amazing blessing.

I continue to miss Armenia. It really is like I left a piece of my heart and part of my family there. I often dream about friends there, and it's so real that I've woken up in tears. I try to keep in touch with friends so I can keep my language. It's a discipline that I want to continue. I continue to pray that I will have an opportunity to visit soon. I frequently bring up my memories and experiences from Armenia, and I often hope I am not boring people.

I feel like reverse culture shock has lifted, but I remain changed in so many small and big ways. I honestly can't believe this year has come and gone. It felt "just like yesterday" that I was saying goodbyes to friends over there. Now, I'm saying goodbye all over again in preparation for my move to California to study.

All in all, I'm grateful for this year of funky in-between-ness that has taught me so much about who I am and where I'm going. I still don't have all the answers, but I've processed and reflected enough to see God's faithful hand guiding me each step of the way. Just like the headlights on a car, God's light shines on the path just before us. I need to not "overdrive" my headlights and trust him for the next bend in the road. Each stepping stone of faith proves HIS faithfulness, not my own, which gives me strength for the next phase of life.

I've been back a year, and I can't believe it. I'm ready now to move onto what God has prepared for me in advance to do! Moving forward boldly...

Five hundred twenty-five thousand Six hundred minutes, Five hundred twenty-five thousand Moments so dear. Five hundred twenty-five thousand Six hundred minutes How do you measure, measure a year? In daylights, in sunsets, in midnights In cups of coffee In inches, in miles, in laughter, in strife. In five hundred twenty-five thousand Six hundred minutes How do you measure A year in the life?