Just some of the amazing things I've seen

I know I should probably write something about how my actual life here is going, but in the interest of time (and the fact that I don't know if I'm in the mood to write something of any sort of length), I thought I would share some of the unusual things I've seen over my first two weeks of living in New York.

This first is a picture I took in Target in Fort Greene, Brooklyn. It was the most amazing thing I'd ever seen: an escalator for carts!


This one is from my ride home on the subway today. I didn't even notice it at first, but after a stop or two I looked over and noticed that a man sitting not too far away from me had the most enormous, what was I'm guessing a, stand-up bass. I just can't imagine lugging it on and off the trains, so I had to take a picture.


And lastly, because I was shocked to see how large the monitor is to my beautiful Mac at work:

And five months later, I've finally found it

Almost five months ago now, I had the realization that I was ready for what was next in my life. Or at least I thought I was ready for what was next.

Late one night during Holy Week last year, I was finishing up a turn as guardian of the Eucharist in a span of Adoration at my small church in Booneville. Seeing the next guardian was there, I quietly finished my prayers and headed outside to drive our big blue van back to our house. I was only slightly aware that another woman from the church, who I had only spoken with on one or instances before, had followed me out. As I was unlocking the van, she approached me and said there was something she felt she needed to tell me. Her insight for me was to "be prepared for the journey ahead of me." She of course, could not tell me what exactly this referred to. Originally I thought maybe it was in reference to what was to come with my summer with YouthWorks! in Booneville (thinking it would be yet another challenge — of course if you read my previous blog you would know it was quite the opposite). As I wrote the previous reflection, I thought maybe the "journey" she referred to had to do with the experience I would have coming home and searching for a job. I think I was still only partially right. Let me share some of my past months' journey with you.

At the beginning of October, I received an email from a former boss and mentor of mine about a potential job. We had met a month or so prior in an attempt to soak up some of her wisdom on finding a job in Cincinnati, so she knew I was looking. As I began scanning over the text on my BlackBerry, my excitement quickly faded as I read the details of the job. It was for the Holy Name Province, which was exciting, but I knew immediately that would mean having to move to New York City. I briefly considered not applying, but, I remembered a phrase my friend Courtney sometimes said when I was trying to figure out who to take to our high school dances — beggars can't be choosers — and decided I couldn't yet rule it out. And anyway, what does it hurt to apply? (At that point, my many applications had not lead to any fruition.)

So I applied, and told my mentor of this, and she wrote a very kind recommendation for me. I waited, and several weeks later, I woke up to my phone ringing with a phone number I was not familiar with. I did my best to shake off that just-woke-up sound to my voice and talked briefly to the woman who would eventually become my new boss. We briefly discussed the possibilities of me coming to New York for an interview, and she said she would be in touch.

Over the following months I took a whirlwind trip to the city, waited a lot, put together some writing samples for a newsletter, had a phone interview, and waited more to hear. And finally, on the eve of New Year's Eve, I was offered the position.

So, was that a journey? Absolutely. But I think the journey I needed, and still need, to be prepared for is the one that is yet to come. By the end of this month I need to find a place to live and pack up my life and hope that one (or both) of my parents will take off work and help me move to a somewhat scary new city, just in time to turn 24 and start a my first "real" job just days apart.

So if anyone actually reads this, that is the reason for the change in title for my blog. But more importantly, if you could just be in prayer for me and my ever-evolving journey.

The packing epiphany

Just now, in the midst of packing for a week of vacation and hanging up laundry, I had a small epiphany. So for old time’s sake I thought, “Why not write a reflection about it?”

My near-perfect packing skills brought to mind YouthWorks and GreaterWorks and my now definite departure from the organization as I look for what will be next for me. My thoughts ultimately lead to pondering why God is asking (or rather, telling) me to stay in Cincinnati right now. While I think the answer to that very large question is being revealed to me bit by bit and day by day (in time I’ve been able to spend with my mom, in the compliments about how much better the house is looking with some of my cleaning, in getting to see old friends again — or to not see them, but know that the option is still available), my revelation is more in the confidence in knowing YouthWorks is not right for me, at least right now.

“Then Peter said to Jesus in reply, ‘Rabbi, it is good that we are here! Let us make three tents: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah,’ He hardly knew what to say, they were so terrified.” — Mark 9: 5-6

In reality, a significant portion of the past 15 months of my life has been incredibly challenging. Entering into my summer I was sure that I would conclude it by moving home. But then my staff was pretty much fantastic. And the summer went unexpectedly smooth with only minor bumps and hang-ups. So somewhere along the way I started to change my mind about being ready to leave.

Hindsight being 20:20 and all, I think maybe I was a little scared to leave behind what I had come to know and had become comfortable with in order to reenter a life I knew better five years ago. Like the disciples, I was a partly afraid and just didn’t want to leave an amazing experience. But now I see my summer in Booneville was a gift from God and His gentle way of saying to move on to what He has in store for me next.

Which, after this wonderful 3 a.m. insight, I think I am finally ready for…

Peace,
Becca