Next Steps

I figure it would be good to share what I'll be doing after I leave Guatemala, at least initially, that is. While I am quite sad to leave here, there are a number of things I'm looking forward to when I get home, and that is making this transition a bit easier. I am very grateful for that.

My job search is ongoing, and I am continuing to work with my career counselor. I get to Atlanta on October 2nd, and the first week or so that I am back, I plan to meet with some folks for the purpose of networking and defining my job search goals. (If you have any contacts in the counseling world, don't be shy about passing them along!) I will also head up to Greenville for a couple days to be with my community group and visit some other friends.

Then, on October 14th, my mom and I are going with Pilgrims of Ibillin to Palestine and Israel. This is- to put it succinctly- a dream come true. I have been involved with the Palestinian liberation movement for a number of years and am so excited about this opportunity to bear direct witness to the occupation as well as the non-violent movements going on in the region. Stay tuned! And check out Pilgrims of Ibillin if you are not familiar with them: http://www.pilgrimsofibillin.org/

On our way back from P/I, Mom and I are going to spend a few days in New York City! And from there, the plan is to be in Atlanta while continuing to network and job search. - I am trying to keep in mind that my ideal timeline may not be realistic or that things may not progress as I would wish. As my career counselor has told me, it is helpful to think of the job search as a journey rather than a to-do list with a specific end date. This is tough for me, but I am trying to trust that the Lord has something in store.

Since I will be in Atlanta until January, I plan to attend Trinity Anglican Mission, which I attended off and on during grad school as well as during the summers when I worked at CJL. Trinity has continued to be a blessing to me here in Guatemala, and I am looking forward to getting more involved once I'm back. I plan to join a community group as well as the choir for the Lessons and Carols festival in December. I figure that if I'm going to be in Atlanta, I need to be in Atlanta- to be involved and to cultivate community.

I don't enjoy looking into the unknown, yet I am excited about all of the aforementioned. And I am incredibly grateful (beyond words, actually) to my parents and their generosity- for providing me a home and for their constant support and guidance. Thanks, Mom and Dad!

See y'all Stateside!