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On Returning Home

It's hard to believe that I've been in central PA for almost four years- four of the hardest, most rewarding years of my life.

Last week, the day after Thanksgiving, as I was sitting in my Mom's living room, already dreading returning home to DuBois, I had this aha moment. I couldn't deny the fact that I just really hated being so far away from family and friends. Although only two hours, comparatively speaking isn't that far, for me, it is.

I will forever be a hometown girl. I love spending time with my family and friends, with whom there is safety. It's no secret that I tend to struggle to connect to my same-aged peers. At home, there is such comfort in being with my family. Elsewhere, I tend to isolate myself, loneliness sets in, and I become internally miserable.

I have decided to take advantage of an opportunity that will give me the best of both worlds: the opportunity to be less than 30 minutes from my family, and the opportunity to remain in a job that I love, with people I have formed lifelong friendships.

I cannot deny that God's hand has been directing me this whole time, but especially in the last eight days. From being told immediately that the new caseload was mine if I wanted it, to getting a random text message from someone I did not know about an apartment, to hearing that he was more than willing to make it accessible (when he didn't have to), to already knowing where I'll be going to church, knowing a family who attends, whom I've known for ten years.

It has been an incredible eight days for me, and I  am so excited about all of it, but perhaps what I'm most excited about is the opportunity to attend church face-to-face again, to feel that connection that I've missed for far too long. For me, that is so huge, especially considering that for the past four years, I've doubted whether I've truly been in God's will. I'm not sure I've ever felt so sure about a decision. I know this is what God has for me during this next stage of my life, and I couldn't be more excited about it. To God Be The Glory, Great Things He Has Done!

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