What? Where? Why? How?

Life has been pretty hectic since I got back to the US. I loved feeling the heat and humidity in the southeast visiting with my mom. I also got a chance to reconnect with the other volunteers that served not only internationally but also in the US. We had a retreat in Ghost Ranch that was fantastic and helped continue the transitioning. I can't say that I am or will ever be fully transitioned back into the US culture. This past year gave me insight that I don't want to lose but I have enjoyed finding comfort in familiar things of home. I made the decision before I left Belfast to move to Indianapolis, IN.

During the middle of september, I had packed my car and drove two hours north to stay with a friend to make the 12 hour drive reduced to 10 hour in one day. Well, that was the plan until my car was having trouble driving up hills and I knew I would be encoutering mountains also before arriving at my destination. I took the car to the shop. The news was dreadful. The car needed 2,600 dollars in repair to make it right. This caused a chain of events which led me to unloading my packed car in 95 degree heat and loading it into my mom's car so that she could drive me home. Things were not looking like the way I had planned them. We sold the car to one of the mechanics. Thankfully, one of them liked it.

Anyway, I was now stuck on an island with no transportation and ironically not walking friendly. My mom and I went car shopping that following weekend. I was able to get a car! So I repacked my new car (well, new to me anyway!). I drove to Indianapolis. I moved in with my grandparents. I got settled somewhat. Then my grandpa went the hospital. Then he had open heart surgery. While, my grandmother on the other hand is now legally blind and has terminal cancer. As this is going on, I am also job searching. I am working on the virtues patience and humility right now. On the upside I joined the local YMCA and have been enjoying spending time with my family and being able to be there for them. I have taken up playing volleyball and taken a liking to spinning class. I look forward to spending thanksgiving this year with family but will always remember one of the volunteers heating up custard and just having it in a bowl for desert.