After one year at LCC International University, I had made a plan to stay for two more years making my time in Lithuania a total of three years. I was planning to start my Masters program in my second year and complete it by the end of my third with LCC's support. I was also eager to learn from my superiors and hopeful that I might get the chance to work in the Director of Community life position at some future point. Why was God calling me to move? I thought we had already worked out a plan!
After some time away from Lithuania and campus I was able to clear my head and dedicate myself to prayer on this ever-present issue. God increased my uncomfortably and started to introduce situations into my life that caused me to make some decisions for my future serving Him. I wanted to be obedient but I was caught off guard by all of these thoughts and feelings. After more time spent in prayer and receiving support from unexpected sources, my prayers were answered and I had discovered my new direction.
It was hard for me to announce that I would be leaving LCC after this school year. God had called me out and now he was calling me home. I was looking forward to the career possibilities that staying at LCC might offer me, but God's plans are always better than my own. After I informed my supervisors of this choice I had to decide when and how I would break the news to my students. This was not an easy time for me. Through the pain of leaving a place I once felt so called to I have been reminded that I am not an irreplaceable person, I am simply a servant working to complete God's will for my life. I am praying that the right people will come to LCC next year to fill all of the vacancies that have been created by God's calls to move.
I will move back to California in May of 2016 and in the meantime I am focused on my students, my co-workers, and my teammates here at LCC. God has allowed me the amazing opportunity to step in as the Interim Director of Community Life for the months of March and April as our current director is away on her maternity leave. I am still in the midst of my graduate program and have started to apply for Student Development jobs back in California. I am eager to live closer to my family and friends, it took time being really really far away from them to realize who I am without them and how much closer to them I desire to be.
I am thankful to serve a God who allows me to get uncomfortable in places when he needs me somewhere else. I am looking to him for direction at this time and am trusting that he is preparing the way for me back in California. The goodbyes on this end will be extremely hard but the promise of the airport hugs waiting for me at home will make it all worth it. Thank you for being a part of my Lithuanian journey these past two years. I look forward to sharing God's next steps for me with you soon.
So THANKFUL for so much...Two years ago God called me into action and a few months later I found myself serving at LCC International University in Klaipeda, Lithuania. God was faithful in His plans and provided me with great purpose here. In this time I have grown bounds, explored Europe, laughed hard, cried for myself and others, and befriended people who I'm positive God created for me to love. After months of prayer and reflection, I have again heard God's call to take the next step in my journey by transitioning back to the States this May. I am sincerely grateful to everyone for their prayerful support in my time of transition. LCC, thank you for being a cherished part of my story. "Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and He will establish your plans." Proverbs 16:3
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