Reflections ...

Reflections

I’ve been thinking about the year that was - all that came and went, the changes endured and embraced...the experience of wonder, adventures taken and opening my heart and soul to more.

2018 was weighted with change - uncertainty – loss … so many questions - but also joy - adventure - connection - most importantly a newfound hope.

Refuge

One year ago on this day I was half a world away in Kigali, Rwanda doing something I love very much. People and places, a montage of a thousand hills that were engraved on my heart.

Africa is a unique and special place that I truly believe is a part of my being. I have felt my heart and spirit come alive more times on that continent that continually begs the question of how can I experience “Africa” or more of that “joy” in my day to day life.

In the most unexpected but God ordained way, 2018 brought Africa to me.

A friend invited me to learn more about a “Good Neighbor” team that was forming through her church - Eight of us met at Nepalese restaurant and embarked on partnering with a local nonprofit World Relief to serve the refugee community in Clarkston, GA. We would be assigned a family newly arriving to the U.S., seeking refuge from their war-torn or politically unjust home country.

As an Atlanta native, Clarkston was virtually unknown to me until a few years ago when I volunteered with Peace of Thread, a handbag company that empowers and employs women through sewing. This small town virtually in my backyard is known as “the most diverse square mile in America”. Most of the known refugees being resettled in recent years are from middle-eastern countries ravaged by war and persecution.  Even our appointed group leaders were former missionaries to Afghanistan and Mongolia currently helping a Syrian family with basic needs and learning English - mentally I prepared to embrace this family that would come from a part of the world I was unfamiliar with and do my best at coming alongside their journey.

A few weeks passed and World Relief reached out asking if we’d be willing to help two “single” moms and sisters and their six children who had newly arrived from 
Eritrea  ( ← hmm, where’s that? a tiny country in north east Africa) with a human rights record among the world’s worst.

Somewhat baffled our group said yes and my heart danced at what I warmly refer to as a “God moment” … that I would be able to befriend and know this family from my beloved Africa.

Humbly I will say it has not been easy. At times frustration and doubt speak louder than the certainty of being love and light in a tangible way, but the blessings I’ve encountered through this family far outweigh any fears. 
Joy and gratitude are universal - no translation needed.

Ubuntu - I am what I am because of who we all are

Wonder

This year allowed me the privilege to travel to Africa for joy, South America for work, Iowa cornfields for a friend’s wedding and embark on the pacific to the Hawaiian islands - a dream come true destination for my 36th birthday with girlfriends. 

Hawaii was where I dreamed I would honeymoon someday and then after years in the ever-chaotic wedding industry, it became the place I would have my very small someday destination wedding... Someday has not arrived yet so I asked the question, what are you waiting for? Go!

Spontaneity and single-hood combined with an erupting volcano made for amazing airfare deals so my first “real” vacation in six years became my chosen  #mandymoon… not to mention my soul found peace along the pacific ocean and much needed rest and clarity in paradise.

Change

They say growth happens when things change…

I adopted a dog on St Patrick’s day and instantly found a new best friend. I can say with confidence we were meant for each other, quirks and all. Willow, formerly known as Haley was the malnourished pup from a Petfinder screenshot saved late at night in early February, and she happened to be the same pup I met outside Publix with a rescue group on a Saturday in mid-March. #Godmoment  She has some special health needs and it hasn’t been the clearest path but she brings so much joy and companionship not only to me, but to my dear little people too.

I said some hard goodbyes and bittersweet “see you laters” in 2018... 

Change is hard. Doubt is loud. Fear is lonely. Grief is weird and uncharted. Loss is inevitable.

I left my job of seven years, a place of comfort and security and familiar and said hello to a new company, new challenges, new commute and new faces.

I've grieved for what is no longer, for the people I can no longer physically see on this earth or day to day, and for the dreams that look different than I once imagined… but I am grateful for what was and how my life has been impacted by each person or place bid farewell.  
I’m learning change can also be healing and pave way for a new way of being... 

So here’s to the end of this chapter … and taking another step forward into the hope & possibility of tomorrow … and the year to come.

I will continue to do the hard work, love well, make memories, cultivate joy, wander more,  and dream dreams.

Xo

Mandy 

“Your worth is not based on where you breathe in this world.”