Those are very good questions. Yes, I completed missionary training school (got a fancy certificate to prove it!) and have been back in LA since August. Around September I started working 5 days a week as a nanny for my god-daughter Emma. She's a few months over two now and just plain adorable. I've also rejoined the leader team of the youth group at my church and am ministering to the high school girls.
When I came back in August my plan was to apply to a mission organization for full-time service. That's the road I've been on for some time. However, I made the decision to stick around this time-zone for a bit. The story of how I came to this decision is very similar to a dramatic, drawn-out soap opera, but I will try my best accurately summarize it for your benefit.
When I was 14 and a high school freshman I met a guy named Tinzy. We were both on the cross-country team and liked each other pretty instantly. We did our fair share of flirting for the next few years and would randomly cross paths throughout college (even though we went to different universities). We tried dating once a few years back and decided to try again in 2010, a few months before I left for MTS in Canada and right before he was leaving for Marine boot camp. Things went well. In fact, way better than either of us were expecting. However, because we were heading off in different directions, we did the adult thing and parted amicably.
Fast forward a year later, fall 2011. I've returned from South Africa, he's finished with extra training and only has to report in once a month since he's in the reserves. We both agreed that the whole 'not being together' thing wasn't really going well. We tried it, for a whole
year, but it just wasn't working out. So we gave up. We've both realized that over the past decade, God has brought us into each others lives many times. Though we've had many different experiences, we've grown and matured into ways that compliment each other. We've decided to set out together for lifes adventures!Which brings me to the latest bit of news: This July Tinzy and I will travel to Haiti to be part of a week long relief mission trip, through Adventures in Missions! Not only will this give Tinzy experience with missions and exposure to a different country, but it will give us a chance to work together doing ministry. I'm super excited and will keep you all posted as we prepare for our trip!
