The sun has set over the valley, and all is dark outside my window.

My dorm sister is sleeping on the couch before she goes to work the night shift.

A stack of clean dishes is drying beside the sink, where I’m content to leave them until tomorrow morning.

There is leftover shepherds pie in the fridge. It was amazing (though I do say so myself.)

My laundry is all clean and dry and in a basket, ready to be folded.

(I could have done it after lunch, but I had a delicious nap instead. Then I went out with my new house mate, and there went the rest of our day. It was so good though!)

I just enjoyed a hot shower and now I’m thinking about heading to bed – I get to stay in bed all night – so that I’m awake to go upstairs for more training in the morning.

Tomorrow evening, some people from church are coming here for a cottage meeting. I think I’ll go upstairs and join them – in church clothes, no scrubs, since I won’t be on my shift.

The residents here are mostly in bed by this time. No doubt they’ll be walking by my window again tomorrow, so they can tell each other they “saw Jackie in her house!”

If hugs and laughter make one live longer, my lifespan is definitely increasing every day. This will be a very healthy place to live!

How is this my world I’m describing?

11 short days that feel like forever ago, I moved hours away from home.

I packed my life into my car, drove all day, then moved into a VS dorm at a home for adults with cognitive disabilities.

New volunteer job. New home. New church. New youth group. Literally, my whole life has changed.

The people here are amazing, the view from my windows is breathtaking, and I know I’ll thrive in this season.

But… just for this time of transitioning, when all is new, I feel like I’m grasping at a kaleidoscope of swirling bits of familiarity.

Things are starting to settle down – I figured out how to use the washing machine, I found the finger nail clipper where my bestie put it when she helped me unpack, and I’ve found a massage therapist close to here.

I’m not quite sure what my identity is here, because I haven’t stepped into the caregiver role yet. I’m looking forward to completing my training so I can lean into my role of service more fully.

Last night, one of my besties came and sat on my couch, and we solved the world’s problems over chai lattes.

(If I can do that here, it must be home. It’s also really great to finally live in the same area so we can hang out whenever we want to!)

I asked her what I’m doing here? What’s the purpose in a temporary term of service? What impact will I leave, and what will I take home?

This VS business is a stretch for me, since for the past few years I was minded to make a career of teaching. To build for the future and stay committed to the place I was in.

God allowed those plans to be interrupted when He called me here – and I believe there’s a reason.

I’m excited to see what He does in my life through this time. I know I’m going to be stretched and grow. I hope, with Christ working in and through me, that my time here will be a blessing to others.

I don’t know how He will choose to use this season, but I know He has a plan and purpose for my being here.

I know He causes all things to work together for good, and even though it feels so crazy and random that I ended up here, it is part of a divine plan, specifically planned for a good purpose.

Tonight, I don’t need to figure out what that might be. I’m content to just enjoy each day for what it holds, and let God use the moments according to His will.

Tonight, I’m in my cozy house on top of the hill, with my comfy new bed awaiting me, and friends – old and new – coming to see me tomorrow evening.

Tonight, it doesn’t matter who I am or why I’m here. I belong to God and I followed Him here. That’s all that matters.

I like my new little world He’s placed me in.

It may be new and strange and different than home at times, but it is beautiful. It is good. It is my own dreams and the hopes of the people here come true… I am walking in the answered prayers of so many who’ve waited so long for this day to come.

“All shall be well, and all shall be well.”

Good night!

The sun comes up, it’s a new day dawning… it’s time to sing your song again.

Whatever may pass and whatever lies before me, let me be singing when the evening comes.

Bless the Lord, oh my soul.♡