Cowtown

The past two weeks I have had the pleasure of being in the company of my wonderful boyfriend in Clovis, New Mexico. While Clovis certainly isn't a bursting metropolis of places to see and things to do, it is home to a wonderful community of people who have accepted me with open arms. It's the closest thing I've found to what I would imagine it feels like to move somewhere new, where no one knows anything about you except for what you tell them (or what they've heard from someone else). I think that's what enchants me about it...I am free to be myself. Truly myself - and not have to worry about what past matters have taken place, old connections to friends or coworkers or family. You see, as I get older I'm learning that no matter where I am or what I do my family will always be by my side. I have felt more love and support from them in the past 6 months than I ever have in my entire life, and that is giving me the strength to feel as if one day I will be able to march out on my own - away from everything that is familiar to me into a wild and beautiful unknown.

During my time here in Clovis I feel as if I've been able to recharge my batteries. I have eaten well, taken a few walks with "the girls", and slept more than I ever have in my life. This two week retreat has meant so much to both my physical and mental health. There's something about waking up next to someone who loves you each morning, and falling asleep with a kiss and the words "I Love You" before bed each night that make a girl's soul sing. I am so blessed to have such an incredible boyfriend. Being able to "take care of him"...god I hate saying that because he's a grown man -- he can take care of himself! And he is never short to remind me of this fact, either! But it's nice to be able to do little things like laundry, and cooking and cleaning around the house. I told Scott that if these two weeks have taught me anything it's that I can never NOT have a job! I've felt like such a bum, even though I know this time away from everything was really a necessity.

It is my sincere hope that I will be able to find a job in Lubbock. It's close enough where I'll still live in a town with opportunity and is about twice the size of Columbia. There are some people there that I know, and it's close enough to Scott so we'll be able to see each other on the weekends instead of once every 6-8 weeks or so. I've applied for a multitude of positions at TTU and have also looked at Lubbock Christian University. The latest application will be sent off to Eastern New Mexico University which is in Portales...I'm not sure what I think about living there, but it would be a great experience and even closer to Clovis than Lubbock and obviously closer than Albuquerque.

It is my sincere hope that this calm that I feel right now will put me in the right mindset to accomplish much this upcoming spring semester -- the last of my master's degree! I hope to approach everything with a calmness, a kindess, and a peace that was certainly NOT present during the last semester. I hope that I continue to feel blessed every day, that I'm able to get through Scott's third deployment with absolute grace as to be a strong support for him while he continues to selflessly serve our country. May 2011 bring more blessings than heartaches, laughter than tears, and joy than suffering!