“Continue to be patient; it will all be for your good.” - St. Padre Pio
I wanted to sit down and write a blog post today, but I found myself at a loss for words. Not much has changed here- still chugging along in language school, struggling to learn new words everyday, awaiting my move to Musoma, getting used to a new culture, and preparing, waiting, for the crazy adventure God has in store for me.
‘New Normal’ is kind of a taboo phrase nowadays, but that is the best and the worst way to describe this period of my life right now. I have gotten used to things that were jarring when I first got here and yet this will not be my ‘normal’ for much longer. I have one month left here in Mwanza and that simultaneously feels like such a short time and forever until I get to start my mission- my purpose for being here. St. Francis Xavier Parish, Mwanza
It seems like that is all life is- getting comfortable in your current situation just to have something come in and change it. Growth is what happens during the uncomfortable. I have become comfortable here in the city- I know my way around, I have a routine, most people know me in our neighborhood and say hi when I pass by. What better way to symbolize waiting
than the Dala Dala (Public Buss)
I could not be more excited to go to Musoma, but yet, I am full of anticipation- what will this look like? Where will I live? What will my job entail? Will I have more than one job? What will my hours be- will it be primarily during the day, after school, or all of the above depending on the day? Will I make friends there? What do people do on the weekends? If I stay in will people think I’m being rude? Will there be the same things available at the grocery store? There are so many unknowns I could continue forever, but regardless- the one constant, known, truth is that this is where I am supposed to be; this is where God sent me. I am here for a reason- I just have to wait for Him to unveil it to me.
Lent is a time of waiting- contemplatively and intentionally awaiting the coming of Gods plan. Jesus knew that the crucifixion would be the hardest thing he would ever have to face, but in the end it will result in more glorious joy than anything else- ever! As I go through my daily lent practices, I am reminded that this period of waiting is exactly what God wants for me in this moment and when it is over I will also be exactly where God wants me in that moment.
We are all waiting something- waiting for that promotion, counting down the days until a wedding, counting months until retirement, waiting for the end of the third trimester, waiting until a birthday, waiting for God to tell us what to do next. St. Catherine of Siena said “Nothing great is ever achieved without much enduring” We are all exactly where we are supposed to be in this moment, even if it just feels like a waiting game- especially in this Lenten season.
I have no idea what my new normal will be when I move to Musoma, and though I desire to- I know that all I can do right now is focus on this moment, this ‘normal’. Taking in everything as it comes is challenging, trying to not anticipate too much and prioritize the present takes effort but if we don’t succeed we will wish our life away. We have a very nostalgic and anticipative culture- reminiscing on good memories and looking forward to big events are fun, but what about the amazing memories that we are creating right now. I know I will miss Mwanza when I go, so right now all I can do is try to soak it all up as much as possible.
So, even thought there is no new exciting thing to write a blog post about I hope you all enjoyed this little lenten reflection as you anticipate with me- the exciting posts to come about my move and the ‘new normal’ I will have in Musoma; and I hope you all have an amazing and meaningful Lent.
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| Lake Victoria, Mwanza |
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| Lake Victoria, Musoma |
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