goodbyes have only begun

I just finished my last week of work at Fred Meyer, and honestly I am relieved. It was a good summer, and a good experience, but I don't personally think I am meant to work that sort of job.

However, my last week was a good one. On Monday, I found myself working on tasks in the back stockroom while my manager Tallas was working at a desk next to me. He all of a sudden started up a conversation about problems he sees in the majority of people in Juneau and how the weather affects them and why he wants to move to Montana. He was very real with me about a lot of things; this was the second time we had a conversation like this. Generally, he is very sarcastic and likes to joke with people (or be intimidating so they get the job done), and this was a very different tone. I got to know a lot about his life and his past.

Then, a little later, a guy named Josh was sitting at the desk and he randomly told me he used to go to a Baptist church in another part of Alaska he used to live, but the people in the church told him he was wrong for hanging out with nonChristians and even some nonBaptists so he got turned off to the church. I got to share a little with him about my faith and the Bible. It was so cool to see God open that conversation without me having to do anything besides sit there and scan price tags. It was also cool to hear him talk about that because just the weekend before, some of the Project guys who work with me had gone to see a movie with Tallas, Josh, and some other guys who work in the home department. I hope it was good for them to see that they are Christians but they have no problem hanging out with nonChristians and loving them.

As I was leaving work and saying goodbyes, I was encouraged by multiple people telling me that they would truly miss me and my smile throughout the day. That was something people commented on throughout the summer, so I am praying that even though we may have not had a spiritual conversation the Lord can use that as seeds to start growing in their hearts.


We are down to nine days until departure for the road trip home! I am going to be sad to leave this community of women here, but I am anxious to be home and more fully move into my new house, be with my friends, and continue my ministry in Fayetteville. I have been praying all summer for God's hand to be moving even while we are all apart, and I am excited to hear about everyone's summers and continue to grow together.