Let me start by saying, Mom has arrived safely and no one is happier to have her here than me. The kids are enjoying testing her memory though and love spending time with her just as though she never left.
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A close friend of mine gave me a book to read when I first left for India. One I'm sure most of you have at least heard of and many have probably already finished yourself. Last month I finally began reading, "A Purpose Driven Life." I have always been 100% sure of the next steps I want to take in my life and started making ten year plans back when I was in Elementary school. These last two years, as all of my personal goals and plans fell to the wayside as I ended up in India, I realized that I left out a huge detail..God. Of course, Christ has always been an important part of my life, just not in the center where he belonged. I was asking the wrong questions. What do I want, what do I like, where do I want to be. None of those answers pointing to leaving friends and family and comfort to live overseas in boiling temperatures with spicy foods. I was the person who was never getting on a plane. If God wanted to use me, he would find a way to do it where I was currently located. Finally, he got my attention long enough for me to see that his plans were completely different. I took a leap of faith, but I'm happy with where he's brought me. He's taught me so much here that I would have missed out on back home. I also hope to have brought a little light and love into some children's lives here in India that they would have otherwise missed out on.
Coming to India has meant changing basically all of my plans for the future. I wasn't sure where I would be in the coming months, let alone five years from now. I decided now would be the perfect time to get started on the book. I'm here now, but what's next. Being naive, I was sure that by day 40 there was going to be a sign in flashing neon lights..."Your next destination is...GOD and Rick Warren fill in the blank!" Not long after starting, I realized it was going to require a little more work than reading a chapter a day from me. I finished all 40 days and Rick Warren forgot to add in there, Kim Shroyer, you will be doing _____ work next year at ______ location with _____ and ______ people in your life. But, long before the last chapter, I knew that wasn't coming.
The most important thing that I learned from reading this book is that there is not one set path that I must take. I can live a life of purpose for God anywhere I go and I should. The most important thing for me to remember is Christ should always be the focus of my life. It doesn't matter what country I'm teaching in or even if I'm bagging groceries for that matter. Everything I do, I should do for him. Coming to peace with the fact that several decisions for next year can be the right choice as long as I have the right attitude and heart, I feel closer to a decision than after any of my pro/con lists. Unless I find there is a need for my voluntary services here next year, I am looking into rehabilitation/temporary living/homless shelters. Whether it becomes a career or place I can volunteer my time, I see this as possibly a great next step for me. Children are my passion and I want to find those most in need. I'm open to all advice and assistance to help make this happen. I have started looking, but am still in the heavy prayer stage. I know God can open any doors if he wants to support my decision. And at the same time, close them if not.
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Tuni in two days! Can't wait to see my American (Westside) family and Indian brothers and sisters at the orphanage!! Please pray for safe travels
