Last weekend was hard on my heart though, as Tex and I went to Kentucky to visit mutual friends and attend the races at Keeneland. My social network continues to grow there, and I struggle with living such a great life there, and here at the same time. My friendship with Julie has really grown in the years, and I am so thankful that I can count on her for prayer, support, warm hospitality, and genuine companionship. When Tex and I left the group to return home on Sunday afternoon, we walked away and I was sad. I couldn't help it. I look backed and waived goodbye and thought of all the things that I wish I could do if I lived there full time, and how I almost moved there! In one sense there is a part of me that knows that life would never look full time what it does in my quick visits, but there is a taste of warmth that I love and that is what I always wish I could extend.
We returned home and I had my first real full day with the Bank on Monday. I quickly headed north to Staunton for the Valley Young Life banquet and had a great time, but the pace of the week never quite let up. Between House Dinner, and typical weekly social arrangements, I have been constantly on the go. Tomorrow however is Friday, and I am excited. I will have the house to myself for a majority of the night and Saturday night, and I'm really thankful for the opportunity to rest.
As I get into the daily grind of what my life looks like now employed I have thought often of a sermon I heard in December about mountain tops. The preacher continued to make the point that 'we don't live on the mountain, the valley is where we live, that is where life is.' He continued his point by saying 'if Jesus is sufficient, we wouldn't always try to live on the mountain tops. Yet we spend so much energy trying to recapture them'.
I look back on this past year and I see several mountain peaks, and I see several times spent in the valley being grown and stretched in ways I could not have planned. The transition into work has been a great one, and I have nothing but gratitude for those training and encouraging me daily at work. I have also been traveling to my training in Covington. I have had to drive over the mountain and down 64 by about 40 miles to my destination on Riverside. I have seen the morning light come through the sky line, and I have witnessed the sun begin its descend out of view. Spring is coming into bloom, and the fields are turning an emerald green and its beautiful... I have had great moments reflecting on God's creation on my drive to and from work each day this week.
Life is in the Valley. I am making my way down off the mountain of adventure and am settling into the regular every day schedule I was ready for. I am curious about awaits me below, and I am anxious as I try to anticipate what it could mean, and what the point is of it all. The Lord has been gracious and provided me amazing opportunities to experience breathtaking views in foreign countries, have heart breaking moments away from those I loved, and quiet stillness to listen... to lean into His whisper.
So while busy this week, happy. I am feeling like myself, I am feeling productive, I feel like I made the right choice- even if my heart is in KY. I am wondering what the next mountain top experience will be, and I am loosening my grip on the desire to live still on the one I am leaving behind.
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