Carrie Underwood sings a beautiful song called “Thank God
for Hometowns”. I heard it this summer and wondered if I would ever be able to
truly relate. The hometown she describes is small, where everyone knows
everyone, and Tacoma is quite far from that.
This past week silenced my doubts. True, I know hardly
anyone in the great city of Tacoma, but I know enough.
I was blessed with an unexpected gift of being able to go
home for Thanksgiving break, which is one week for m school, and it was so the
perfect gift.
One of my favorite days being home was Sunday, where I
hugged more people in one day than I had the entire time I was in California and
it was refreshing; to be reminded that there are dozens of people still
supporting me, praying for me, loving on my family. To everyone that hugged me
that day, I don’t think you realize how much I needed that.
I also had countless conversations with people about my time
at school. Each conversation reminded me that I am doing the right thing.
College is probably the scariest adventure I’ve ever been on, but I love it. I
don’t think I would change the things that brought me to this moment. Sure some
of it has been hard, unpleasant, uncomfortable, etc. but it has been so worth it.
I’ve grown more in these last few months than I have ever in my life.
This doesn’t mean I don’t miss my hometown, it just means I appreciate
my two different lives even more than before. But I’m also ready to be back
home for Christmas too.
So to all of you who make up my
life in Washington:
I love you. It almost makes me cry
to think about the amazing community I’ll always have. Carrie Underwood’s song
says, “Cause when you’re lost out in this crazy world/you’ve got somewhere to
go/ that you get found”. Every time I feel a little lost, you all remind me
that God has me here for a purpose. I’m also grateful for the open arms I find
when I get to be with you.
To all of you who make up my life
in California:
You are helping me have two
hometowns. You are showing me love and I couldn’t be here without you. For
however long God has me here in Cali, I’m blessed that I can journey with all
of you.
