Journey of a Thousand Miles

In lieu of my 3 year anniversary in Austin, I decided to compile a list of lessons I've learned in my stay here. I cannot count the full extent of what I've learned, but I did my best to summarize. I hope you can reap the reward of knowledge learned from my own difficulties: Wherever you go, there you are. If you have certain problems in one job or city, they will follow you to the next job or city. You cannot escape yourself. So deal with your problems where you are. God is going to take care of you when the going gets tough. He will not abandon you.  Our suffering is meant for our good.  I don't need a fancy job, house, or husband to be happy, content, or fulfilled. God is the only true stability and security. To seek that security anywhere else would be idolatry. My emotions are trying to tell me something. Pay attention to them! My feelings are valid, and it is okay to express them. (You don't understand how hard this was for me in the beginning.) Setting boundari

I am continuing the exercises from Donald Miller's Storyline .   Exercise Two Where are you going? Evaluate where your life will be in 1 year, 3 years, and 5 years if nothing changes in the following categories: 1. Personal relationships 2. Career 3. Personal Health Personal relationships Having a better relationship with myself has helped me have better relationships with others. The  Austin Stone  has introduced me to great Christian men and women who have taught me about real community and how to be totally exposed to others. I used to fear intimacy, and the Recovery program has wiped that fear right out of me. As I learn to share my true thoughts and feelings, I gain deeper friendships with healthier, like-minded individuals and have learned to distance myself from unhealthy people. I still have much to learn about loving difficult people and confronting conflict, but that grows with time and maturity. 1 year - I think I will have stronger, better relationship

Looking at the previous exercise , I have discovered 3 recurring themes in my life: People, Places, and Passions. I will go into further detail here: People: Relationships have always been very important to me, and discovering my one true love has been an ongoing journey. It seems I have found my one true love in Christ, but I am still in search for my earthly husband. Because of my value for people, I have been hurt deeply by those I gave my heart to. I have built walls to keep people out, but my desire to connect with others trumps my fears and pushes me to open up. It has been a lifetime journey learning how to relate better with others and build lasting relationships. Letting go has never been my forte, but I have learned that some people can be detrimental to my growth, and letting go is sometimes the only way to become all that God wants me to be. I can't wait for the day when God finally blesses me with the most intimate of relationships and gives me a husband and family