Gringa Goes…Home?
That's right folks, it's hard to believe my time in Mexico is coming to an end. In just 2 short days I will be back home in Alabama, but not for long...
The Lord has been CRAZY faithful to me throughout these last few months here. In the places I've had so much confusion and unrest about my future, He has transformed into peace and excitement for what is to come. While it will be bittersweet to leave Mexico, I am so eager to start the new chapter that is right around the corner. Upon my return, I will be home in Alabama very briefly before making a big girl move to North Carolina! I will be moving to the triangle region and will move in with my sister for the summer for some greatly anticipated sister bonding time where I will also have the privilege to care and serve her as she welcomes baby #3 into the world! Once fall rolls around I will be getting out of her hair to officially start "adulting" (*cue the sarcastic "yayyyyy"*). But in all seriousness, the Lord truly has been my Jireh-Provider as I've been figuring out whats next (or should I say, as He has been revealing what's next). I have been knocking on so many doors and He has opened tons of them left and right. I have already been introduced to so many amazing people in the triangle area and this gives me so much hope for a supportive and faithful community, something which I have prayed for for years. Not only that, but job opportunities have opened up exponentially by moving to North Carolina rather than staying in Montgomery. Everything is working out for my good, praise Jesus!
When I look back on my time here, I am truly baffled beyond belief. There were so many "pinch me" moments where all I could think was "What is my life?" Sometimes is was because it felt like I was living the literal dream, but other times I was pinching myself wanting to wakeup from the nightmares and ugly parts that come with experiences like these. But over anything I look back and see one fat blessing.
What have I learned these past 9 months? Impossible to say, but here are some highlights...
God wants to be with me.
There is purification in the fire.
He is sovereign, faithful, and generous. He is my Jireh-Provider.
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me, but I don't have to do all things, instead let Him take the lead. Christ's strength is shown through my weakness.
Being content where you are is hard.
You don't have to be perfect or even feel 100% ready in order to receive gifts from God.
I could go on and on about every lesson I've learned here, but if I did that, I'd have you reading for ages. Luckily through this blog, you've been able to read about some of the ways He has worked in my heart. And I want to thank each and every one of you for reading and staying with me through this process.
So what will become of Gringa Goes Abroad now that the gringa will no longer be abroad? Great question. I wish I could give you a straight forward answer, but the truth is, I don't know. I feel like the Lord has put of my heart over the last 9 months to try and pursue doing social media more and sharing more vulnerable things for the sake of His Kingdom, but equally as strong I feel the desire to go "off grid" and get rid of all my social media completely. I am torn. I see the good that social media can do, but at the same time I can't help but feel melancholic after spending time on it from all the general hate I see on it. It will definitely be something I have to pray on more and more as ask the Lord for His will to be done in my life. I'd appreciate if you'd join me in praying for this as well.
Thank you again to everyone who has stuck with me thus far. I look forward to sharing more about my experience with each of you in person once I return. I feel so blessed through this experience and I hope to share these blessings with you all!
If you or someone you know if interested in applying for the FULBRIGHT scholarship, please to not hesitate to reach out with any questions you may have!
For more information about Fulbright:
US FULBRIGHT PROGRAM: https://us.fulbrightonline.org/
FULBRIGHT-COMEXUS: https://www.comexus.org.mx/index.php
Thank you for reading! May the Lord bless you and keep you, and may He make His face shine upon you!
Signing off for now with much love,
Ellie <3