"The Secret to a Long Life is Knowing When it's Time to go..."

This  morning Kevin woke me up, excited, telling me about all of his ideas he has had to use his masters in Social Work.  He danced around the house, happy, saying that he could see himself doing new things- things that actually existed- a "job" that would use his gifts well.  I watched him dance and knew that he felt free- I knew that moving was the right decision- the next step.  Kevin had come back to life again- not that he was dead- but it was as if a new life had sprung inside of him.  Just in time for Easter.  He had so much hope that he could use his gifts  in a new way.  I knew it was time to go.

We went to church that morning, Palm Sunday, thinking it might be our last church attendance in Indy.  As we sang the songs, two of our friends walked in and noticed that we had both gotten hair cuts.  They pointed to our hair, smiling, and Kevin and I both became teary-eyed instantly.  We are going to miss everyone that we have connected with here.  Everyone that has helped us make this "home", and everyone that has loved us so well.

We always knew that hostel life was temporary.  We weren't sure how long we would stay in Indy, but we suspected that we would leave within the year.  We are leaving sooner than we thought.  It is good though- as Kevin likes to say, "we don't feel like we've stayed too long, and we don't feel like we're leaving too early."  We are moving back down South to be closer to our families and start something new.

For me, this means cooking still, in some shape or form, very possibly through transferring culinary schools.  For Kevin, it's looking like Social Work, or somehow connecting with people and being in relationship with them through whatever "job title" he chooses.  For both of us, we desire to be invested in and around people, in community and relationship.  Who knows what the future holds!  We just know that it is time for us to go.

Tonight Kevin and I talked about how glad we were that we moved here to work at the hostel.  We have gained so much from this experience, and hopefully have given so much as well.  I don't think I could ever return to the South with the appreciation I have now if I hadn't have left it for a while.  The adventure continues...

I debated on whether or not my blog would continue after this move, since the blog was very much based around the management of the hostel.  After some feedback and encouragement, I've decided to keep writing here, because I have realized that life is an adventure no matter where you are or what you are doing.  It's all about how you look at it.  Some peoples' lives look flashy and exciting as they travel around the world or have risky occupations; other people have ordinary jobs and choose to view each day as a wild adventure regardless of where they are or what they are doing.  Both circumstances are wonderful- either way it's all about perspective.  I am going to make that choice- my life is an adventure as long as I am open to change, willing to learn, and able to enjoy the ride along the way.  Here's to a new beginning somewhere new!

It never ceases to amaze me how well we are taken care of.

I have completed 2 classes now in culinary school, and now I am on my Spring Break.  The stars aligned and spontaneously, Kevin and I were able to schedule a last minute vacation to Louisiana.

I have seen the fruit of hard labor in many places here.  In school, I have worked hard and have improved, and it is a fulfilling feeling.  I can actually see improvement in a tangible way- and it encourages me to keep working.  It is so enjoyable to find something that you are good at, that you enjoy as well, and to  do it with all of your might.  I'm thankful for the people who encouraged me to pursue culinary arts!

I can see the fruit of us not giving up on trying to make friends here.  We have been blessed with people in our lives who have taken care of us greatly.  Not only are they there for us at 6:30 in the morning when we have car trouble, but they come over when we feel lonely and play Kevin's games with us for as long as we can stay awake.  

I don't know what I was afraid of in moving here.  I knew it was the right decision, and now I feel silly for even hesitating, because it's almost as if this spot at the hostel was picked out for us in advance, prepared for us, and waiting on us.

Everything outside is covered in inches of snow, and while it feels like we are in a winter wonderland, we will soon be escaping to the South where I am promised crawfish and warmer weather.

One of our long-term hostel guests will be coming to LA with us! He has become an adopted member of our family, eating meals with us and hanging out with us regularly.  He is from England and our friendship with him has grown greatly the longer he has been here, and Kevin and I felt like it would be a great experience for him to embark on this road trip with us.  So today we are all going to go look for a thurmas, because leaving at 5:30 in the morning requires at least a quart of hot coffee to be passed around in the Altima as we head for Illinois in this frozen weather.

I want to express my gratitude in this post because I don't feel like it is expressed enough.  Everything I have exclaimed in here I am exclaiming because I am thankful, because I don't feel like I ever had control of these circumstances and the way they were planned out, and because through that I feel like I have been taken care of and supported in ways that I cannot explain, by God and by people.  Thank you to everyone who cares about me and supports me, and know that just by telling someone you love that you are proud of them, that you support them- you give them energy to take another risk that could open up new doors to new opportunities.  Never underestimate the power you have in someones' life, even if you're in it for a brief moment- just to show them dignity and respect-- and support.