Well, I am officially moved in to my new place in Evanston. And I love it. Honestly, I thought it would take me awhile to warm up to the area. As a student at Loyola, I have only known Rogers Park, which is actually in Chicago proper, but as I start this new chapter of my life (as an "adult" with a job, not a student) a slight location change was in order. Plus I think it'll help me feel less like a college student as I begin my job working primarily with college students.
Anyways, Evanston and my apartment are wonderful. I am a ten minute walk from downtown Evanston, where I have already enjoyed sitting in numerous coffee shops using the internet (since mine won't be installed until tomorrow) and feeding my caffeine addiction (I am a Starbucks rewards member now). The area around my apartment is very residential, charming and quaint. And I am excited to start nesting, making my apartment friendly, inviting, and super cozy.
Nesting? In the past four years, whenever I have moved to a new place, changed locations, I have always known the day I was going to leave. There was always an end date. And now, there really isn't an end date. Sure it's a twelve month lease but that can be extended. To think that I could be in the same place for one whole year, let alone two years, is exciting and comforting to me. I have been hopping from place to place for awhile now. And don't get me wrong, I am unbelievably grateful for all the experiences I have had, the people I've met, the places I've seen. In fact, I am Skyping with my Chilean host family tonight! However, I am ready to nest. I wouldn't say "settle down" (too strong of a connotation). But I am ready to put some nails in the wall, become a "regular" somewhere (probably a coffee shop), and put away my big suitcase for awhile.
I'm sure when I speak with my host family tonight I'll feel that pang of nostalgia and want to hop on the next plane to Santiago. And I'm sure I'll feel the same way in September when the Guapas and I reunite for a Spain reunion. But I know that I am exactly where the Lord wants me, doing exactly what He wants me to do. And I couldn't be more excited. There are still about two weeks before I step foot on campus to start ministry with Cru, but I am already bathing Loyola in prayer and asking God to bless the next twelve months. They are going to be a wild and exciting ride, much like my other adventures I'm sure. Of course I won't be blogging about climbing an active volcano in Chile, eating guinea pig, or trekking to the South American "end of the world," but stay tuned because this year God is going to do big things - bigger than an volcano I've ever climbed.
