Don't worry, I'm still alive.

It has been almost a year since I've written. A lot has changed in the last 10 months, much of which has to do with my last blog post. When I returned from Uganda last summer I was forever changed. My priorities, my thoughts, my work ethic, my empathy, my perspective, my finances, all of it. I couldn't help but be impacted by what I witnessed. So, before I get into what is going on in this cluttered head of mine now, here are just a few highlights from the year you missed.

*I quit my job! Eek! 

Although I was a fan of the Hawkeye state, I'm sure many of you are aware of the struggles I faced throughout my three years there. I was incredibly grateful for a start in the journalism field and know I learned a lot in a short amount of time. However, when the opportunity came to move closer to family and work for the local paper here, I couldn't pass it up. So, the Tuesday prior to Thanksgiving, I had my last day working as the editor of the Elgin Echo, Fayette Leader and Ossian Bee. I flew to California that afternoon to spend the holiday with my sister and her beautiful girls, and packed up my life the following week. 

*I said good-bye to the arctic.

I never thought when I moved seven hours north that leaving three years later would be so hard. I kind of became an emotional wreck when I was faced with telling some of the best friends I've ever had, good-bye. I have so many people who love and support me, and now I am slowly losing touch with many of them. I have only gone back to visit twice, both visits were much too short! I did get to see one of my favorite Iowa peeps (Kelly!) at a Jefferson City gas station as she passed through the area on a work trip. The crazy but amazing Jensen family let me crash their vacation on their way to Branson. I also got to play tour guide for Sharon and Ione when they stopped in town for a family funeral.

I miss so many things about my time in Iowa. I started typing some of them out, but really, there are too many moments to single out just a few. In short, I miss my sweet friends. The longer I'm here, the more I feel like I'm losing them. Because I lived in such a rural area, we really lived in community with one another. I don't think there was ever a weekend I spent alone, or a night I didn't have a house to visit for dinner. I know when I go back for a visit, there are too many people I want to see, which I would say is a huge blessing. 

*I moved home....like, home-home. 

After seven years living on my own, I moved back into my parent's house. I would like to say that I never thought I would do that, and it just goes to show that God's plan is sometimes greater (or worse? lol) than your own. No, but really, it has not been bad at all. I am loving saving money on rent, cable, electric, etc., and being able to see my family often. My belongings are spread throughout the house and garage, but Charlotte and I are surviving. 

Moving back to Jefferson City has been interesting. I still struggle with knowing my place. Everyone here already has their lives established, and it's hard to push my way back into their circles. 

I am also still searching for a church. Going to the church I grew up in was my default. But after a few months I started to explore other options, hoping to find somewhere that has more people my age. I've probably struggled the most with this. My little church in Elgin still has my heart. The people there really became my family and I just haven't found anywhere here that feels like that. I have high hopes though, and visited a new church this morning that seems promising. 

Part of my decision to move home involved my finances. As much as I would love to be in my own place, it just made sense. I am attempting to get a handle on my life, in order to continue going back to Uganda each year. The sacrifice, well worth it! 

*I started a new job!

I am currently working for the News Tribune. I am doing some reporting, mostly business stories, but am also designing pages. The page design was a new undertaking for me, and I am loving it. It is great to have a task at hand each night that can be completed and left at the end of each shift. I was so used to taking my work home with me, and now I only do some of that. I realized this weekend that I really have nothing to complain about with my job. What a blessing that is!

*I went back to AFRICA!! 

I cannot tell you how excited I was to return to Uganda in August. I plan to write all about it in my upcoming posts. I met some amazing new friends, and was able to continue relationships with many of the Ugandan people I met last year. I haven't really had a chance to process my trip, although I've been back for almost a month. I anticipate that will come with the strokes of my fingers. Writing has always been the best way for me to express my feelings, and this will be no exception. 

So, stay tuned!