Life: Reflecting on My Journey Since Last Summer

Life has a way of moving fast, and sometimes it’s easy to lose track of where we’ve been and where we’re headed. Since July, I’ve been on a break from blogging and have experienced a mix of growth, unexpected challenges, and moments that have reshaped my perspective and faith. Taking a moment to reflect on this period helps me appreciate the progress made and clarify what lies ahead. I want to share this journey with you, hoping it resonates and maybe even inspires you to pause and reflect on your own path.

The narrow path symbolizing the journey of personal growth and faith with God

Embracing Growth Through Moving

Since July, I've stepped out of my comfort zone in ways I hadn't expected. One of the most significant changes was PCS-ing (Permanent Change of Station). Yes, we moved to another state! Just like with the Lord, when the military calls, you go. Initially, it felt overwhelming. I had to collect boxes, coordinate timelines with my doctors and specialist, decide when to give my two weeks' notice, and determine the right time to start packing. Sometimes, I realized that my plan doesn't always have to be THE one we follow. As someone who plans weeks, months, and even years ahead, this experience has taught me the importance of patience and being open to other ideas, such as God's plan.

For instance, after watching all the HGTV shows, I thought that binge-watching episodes on Saturdays had prepared me for this moment. To buy my first house (naturally with my husband) AND decorate it the way I wanted (except for the office—that's my husband's territory). But I was completely mistaken! Thankfully, I had a husband who had already experienced "buying my first home" and knew all the details. It's not like TV, as I'm sure most of you already realize. However, in my mind, it was supposed to be a seamless 30 to 60-minute episode of us choosing our new home (with my lovely expensive taste), closing on our previous home, moving into our new place, and selling our old home, with fast-moving credits at the end... You're probably thinking "unrealistic" and "if only," and those are precisely the words my husband had to remind me of. My plan sounds amazing, but God's plan truly showed me what amazing actually looks and feels like. My plans were materialistic, while His plan was more about understanding Him while managing life as a working military spouse. I'll explain what that all means soon enough.

Now of course, this was happening all of August through September. Thankfully we did find a beautiful home that meets most of our needs. Now October is in full swing with "exciting" things like packing, more packing, donating clothes, packing, quitting my job, packing, and did I mention, packing? You would think, it just my husband and I, why is there SO much packing. Well I'll tell you... It's me. I'm the problem. I am what I am, and that's a planner and a clutter collector. In the moment of packing, I had to come to terms with myself, that a chapter in my life was closing and that a new one is about to begun. Part of letting go, is letting go of the idea that I had for myself. Whether it was the idea of the career I imagined for myself, the idea of who I have become, and the idea of what's to come in future events. Needless to say, there were some things I wasn't ready to let go and others I was ready. For example, Christmas gifts that have been sitting in my pantry for who knows how long. Yeah... I'm a work in progress and the Lord knows it too.

November and December were full of ACTUAL exciting things with an occasional stepping out of the my comfort zone. November was the month we spent more on the house, than each other for Christmas and I think that's okay. We can't have it all and that is exactly what I had to tell myself. I can't have everything right then and there and that is why there are seasons of waiting. This is usually around the time I start to reflect on the year as a whole. Boy! Was this THE year of change and wait. My husband and I had plans that were altered at the beginning, changed multiple times before summer started, by the end of the summer we had "unofficial orders", to actual orders, to finally receiving a "be here no later than" date, to a FINALIZED PLAN. A finalized plan?!?! Oh yea my planning self could breath! BUT we completed that plan, so, onto the next plan of trying to start a family and BOOM!! WAITING... It's as if God is trying to get my attention, telling me not only does He have a plan, but it's going to take some time.

Navigating Unexpected Challenges

Not everything went smoothly. Life threw some curveballs that tested my resilience, patience, and reliance on God. Back in August through December, I was juggling the work life, moving, and trying to match my unrealistic expectations with realistic expectations. While waiting for God to give the stamp of approval for the official orders to be released. I would catch onto what God was telling me - to trust Him and wait for his timing. You would think, with the amount of lessons I had learned in my life thus far, that I would get it, but then the next day or so, I'd be questioning God over and over again. I soon caught on, however, I had to let go of all the distractions in my life.

While eliminating distractions in my life, like work, family, electronics, and social media, I soon began to understand that God was working in me in multiple areas. In December, I developed loneliness. Not in a way that felt as if I was distant from God, or my family, but I needed social interactions. Though I had my humorous husband to keep my sanity at bay, when he wasn't there, the enemy found a way to use that against me. I wasn't in a place to look for a job or have anything to disturb the peace I had. However, I hadn't been able to connect with a church yet. As scripture says, be "Bold and Courageous", and that's what I did, with the Lords help, of course. I attended two social gatherings with other military spouses and was able to connect with woman who were experiencing the same feelings as I. It was refreshing and exciting. If it wasn't for God continuing to work in me, I would not be who am I today.

Lessons Learned and Key Takeaways

Reflecting on these months, several lessons stood out:

• God has a Plan though it may take some time. Progress comes from trusting Him and His plan, even when things aren’t perfect or they way you had planned.

• It's gonna be okay. While waiting, it may feel stressful or worrisome, but know that God is with you and that YOU ARE NOT ALONE.

• The "Let Go and Let God". It's so much more peaceful when you let go of the things that are wearing you down and stressing you. When I let go of the ideas and thoughts to Him, instant peace overcame me. I know we ALL have somethings we could give to God that he can handle.

  
  

These lessons have shaped how I approach both my personal and spiritual life now.

A journal with handwritten reflections symbolizing personal growth and planning

Final Thoughts

Reflecting on the months since the summer has revealed a journey filled with growth, challenges, and valuable lessons. It reminds me that progress isn’t always linear, and setbacks are part of the process. What matters most is staying committed to learning, adapting, and trusting that God has his hand in all of this.

If you’re reading this, I encourage you to take a moment to reflect on your own journey this past year. Celebrate your wins, reflect on your struggles, see what God is instructing you to do, and set intentions for what’s next. Growth happens one step at a time, and every experience adds to your testimony.