Hello from Belfast! I have arrived and settled into my new room and spent some time with (some of) my team this week. I cannot wait to see what lies ahead in this new place as part of this team. My welcome back to this island has been overwhelming in the best way!!

Overwhelming in a far less enjoyable way has been the realization that I am starting over from scratch when it comes to knowing how to do life. The thoughts of figuring out my way around the city, navigating the process of opening a bank account and getting a driving license, keeping up with all the new info needed on a daily basis, and really settling into this new place all become too much when I allow them to crowd my mind… After I was dropped off in my new home on Tuesday, having had a lovely and relaxing week in a familiar place, I had to fight the urge to message my friend to come back and pick me up again.

Yesterday afternoon, I finally sat with my journal to figure out why I had wanted to run away as soon as I got here. I knew my mind was on overload, but hadn’t allowed myself to dig into why. I discovered I was bogged down with all the questions and realities of learning to “adult” all over again in this place. (It feels as though, at the age of 39, I’m having to relearn things I’ve been doing for 20+ years.)

As I put all of that into words, I also found in the midst of all the things which feel new and hard and overwhelming, I had lost sight of the One who opened the door to this place. My focus was on all the stuff I don’t know instead of looking to the One who knows everything there is to know.

I may have a lot to learn here, but I don’t have to figure it out on my own. Not only is there an awesome team of people happy to help, there is a God who knows all and is happy to share His insights when I remember to ask Him. He knows the answers for simple things (that I usually make way too complicated) and for the deeper questions of what He has for me here. He has far surpassed my expectations in all He’s done to bring me here, and I know He will continue to make a way. I don’t have to see the road ahead as long as I know He is leading the way and walking with me every step of this journey.