On Eagle's Wings: Growing Up

Wow, it has been quite a while hasn't it! I haven't done a very good job about filling everyone in...

I have had a very interesting, complicated, frustrating, fun, difficult, sad and educational time since I have gone active duty in the United States Air Force. To sum it up, God has revealed to me that HE is the only one who has it all figured out. Which has provided me great comfort when my stubborn heart realizes the truth and comfort in that promise. Since leaving for active duty/Georgia in November (I went to the Biltmore House for Thanksgiving Vacation with my family after they moved me in, that will be another post later),

The Beautiful Biltmore House

I have grown an incredible amount. This, however, has definitely not been an easy trip. I knew it wasn't going to be an easy process, but it's completely different when you're actually going through it than when you're just thinking about it and seeing it loom in the future.

I lived on the bare minimum in terms of furniture for quite a while (still am, but thankfully once I get back I will have a few additions!). I had an air mattress that my parents were very gracious to purchase for me, a camping chair and a little one person folding table and a desk, book shelf and desk chair. I learned that I take a lot of things for granted and that I can get by without much! :)

my "office"

my bed, which is actually very comfortable! :)

living room and dinning room- otherwise known as the "great room"

le kitchen- my favorite room in the house

Settling in on my own was very difficult. I'm sure many of you have experienced loneliness at times, but it was very poignant there. I was blessed with a great church and wonderful fellowship, but I still felt like an outsider. The Lord blessed me with courage to step out of my comfort zone and to start attending events at the church. I was extremely blessed the few short weeks I was there by the fellowship and worship. God blessed me with a wonderful small group to attend and the people are so encouraging and supportive.

Leaving for Texas was difficult. I was just starting to "fit in" and enjoy hanging out with new friends and getting acclimated to a work schedule. Having to uproot myself to head start it all over again was almost too much to handle at the time. Needless to say, it was a very emotional and trying time. I knew that I had so much to look forward to and I could see God's hand working in marvelous ways. One being that Micah and his Mom and two of his brothers got to stop by and visit with me for a while, as well as being extremely blessed with the opportunity to drive with Micah out to Texas. A dear friend was willing to pay for half of his plane ticket back to GA from the Dallas airport. I was humbled by her giving heart and was so incredibly thankful for the opportunity to:

1) not drive the 18 hours by myself in one day

2) get to spend more time with Micah.

The drive out was uneventful (which was a very good thing). We were able to stay at Papa and Granny Ann's house in Albany for a night and then head out to Clinton, Mississippi to stay at a family friends house the next night. It was a very special time for the both of us because I was able to learn more about Micah's childhood and visit with a dear friend Mrs. Burgess and stopped by the church that Dr. King used to preach at when Micah and his siblings were wee little ones.

We visited the battle site after we left the Millers house

Where Micah grew up when he was 2-8 yrs old

Wasn't that excited...

There was a lot of time to reflect on all of the blessings I have been bestowed with. The drive also made me realize how much I have taken for granted. After seeing Micah off at the Dallas/Fort Worth Airport for his flight back to Savannah, I got back to my car and cried like a baby. I was basically a blubbering mess all the way to Wichita Falls. Missing Micah was a large part of it, but the other half was the fact that life changes. Life goes on. Life will never be the same again.

Yes, this is true, life will never be the same again. However, that is not always a bad thing. As I got settled into a new routine for my training, I felt God whisper into my heart how HE has ordained this time in my life. He has me here for a reason. I am here to fulfill His purpose. And you know what? Being in a time of change in my life doesn't mean that I'm going to be comfortable. I am way out of my comfort zone right now. And that's a good thing. I can't grow into who God wants me to be by just sitting around letting life pass me by.

It's been about a month and a half since I've been here now and it has been a roller coaster time. I can feel God molding me and refining me. I have so much to look forward to in the future, but I have to remember to enjoy the present.