Recently, a friend asked me " well how will this change the way you act at TNU?" This is the first time I had been asked this question and it really hit me because I didn't have a clue.
My first answer to him was "I don't really know". Soon I replied with a general answer of, " well it will make me more patient with everything and everybody". What a lame answer. haha. Since then, I've been thinking about this question and what my real response should be.
This trip has made me a different person. I have grown up and matured. It's been hard coming back and dealing with old issues because I go back into the old Devon mode, but have realized I can't do that anymore because it's not who I am. So there is part one of my change when I go back to Trevecca. I am not going to be the same grudge holding girl that I use to be, but one who can forgive and forget and move on. I am not saying it'll be easy by any means, but its something that needs to happen.
I also feel more prepared for the tough situations I will go in to. I realize I no longer have to get mom or dad to fight my battles, but that I can do it on my own. The three of us girls have been through a lot the past two months and we had nobody but ourselves to stand up for what we knew was right. I now see how capable I am of being an adult and getting things taken care of that are my own to worry about.
People need to also be aware of what happened this summer. As we were at training camp talking, we decided the best way to get people involved was by telling our stories. My story is by far nothing I would want to send anybody else into, but its also something people need to realize about missions. "It's not always a success story"- Joel. And ours was a success, we grew and we did great things, but we were not always happy. People need to see missions is not always this happy fairy tale kind of adventure. I didn't realize the good we did until we got back and I am still realizing more and more every day. Telling my story is something that must be done and even the stories of the people I met. I'd like to see a change in the campus and see more people wanting to help.
I hope this answers your question Parker. I thank you for asking me because it's something I needed to look it to before I got back.
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This is Awesome Devon! It really is so hard coming back and having to go through the oh gosh...now what do I do? I am going to be praying for you as you start school. It's easy to get frustrated with people that seem like they just don't care or only stay half interested in what you have to say!
ReplyDeleteI would love to have heard your story at reentry. I'll be in Nashville in September! Maybe it can work out for us to get coffee! :)