I've been watching a lot of Chicago traffic from my hotel window that looks right out to the interstate. It seems that more often than not, there is a traffic jam where cars are moving 5 mph or slower. Rush hour is never ending here.
From working at the welcome center I know how irritated people are coming from Chicago. The horrible traffic they had to deal with, how it took them hours to get from one side of the city to the other. They see it as a stress. It's not surprising, sitting in traffic feels like you are wasting time, makes you late for work, it sets you back in your plans for vacation, it keeps everyone confined to a small space for what seems like hours on end, but traffic jams are out of your control. There isn't much point in getting angry, upset, or complaining because it's not going to change the situation.
The thing is, being stuck in traffic doesn't have to be a horrible thing. If you are alone in the car it can be that time you need away from everything, maybe not the most relaxing setting, but it gives you time to think. I don't think it ruins vacation plans, the point of many vacations is to spend time with the family or people you are traveling with, what better way then to spend extra hours in a car together? Being stuck in traffic isn't a waste of time, but rather can be a blessing, giving you the time you need for you or that extra time with loved ones.
Waiting for my visa is kind of like being stuck in traffic. As I watch traffic creep by my window I think about the waiting that I am doing. I can't go anywhere until "traffic" clears up. Rather than get upset or complain I've been looking for the blessings. I'm blessed to have another lovely UK YAGM to keep me company as she waits for her visa. I'm blessed to have the ELCA taking care of me with a great staff that checks in at least once a day. I'm blessed to be in Chicago and have the opportunity to explore the city. Most of all, I'm blessed to have the first glimpse of what I believe will be a recurring theme for this year: I'm not in control. This may be God's way of reintroducing me to the idea that He has the control, we have been down this path before, but this year, I don't think He is going to let me forget.
Being stuck in traffic sucks, it really does, but I'm going to try and enjoy my traffic jam, because I can't control it and traffic will clear up sooner or later.
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Saturday, August 25, 2012
Practicing Patience
As I neglected my blog for most of the summer while trying to prepare for the year ahead, it suddenly crept up on me and my year as a YAGM has officially started and the next step of my journey has begun.
I came to Chicago August 15th for a week of orientation that was exhausting; so much information and such an emotional roller coaster. It was great being with the other 56 YAGM as we are all going through this together and in the short time we have known each other, we have truly become a family. After spending hours at a time hearing about all of the possibilities of things that could happen to us over the next year it became overwhelming, but as the week continued the excitement was growing. Closing worship was amazing as we receieved blessings, anointed our hands for the work to come, and sang together in a way that brought tears for many and sounded like a call of hope. By the end of orientation we were all ready and as prepared as we could be for what is to come.
On the 22nd most of the YAGM left for their countries of service. I am currently still in Chicago. I am waiting for my visa which is either still in New York at the British consulate or hopefully on its way back to me so I can fly out. One would think that getting a visa to the UK would not be as difficult as it has been, but it has been awful and now I am stuck waiting. It was hard watching everyone else leave, but apparently it just isn't time for me to go yet. As soon as the visa gets here I will be headed to London where my placement is anxiously awaiting my arrival.
Luckily I'm not alone in Chicago and it really isn't a bad place to be stuck for a couple extra days, there is so much to do. However, I am so ready to go! I am excited to get to London and begin work, but for now I just have to wait. I am trying to use the days I am here to practice my patience. Not only is it a good life tool, but I think that in the work I'm going to do this year and as part of this leg of my journey it is going to be very important. Everything is going to work out and soon enough I will be on a plane crossing the pond to my new home for the next year (I can hardly wait)!
I came to Chicago August 15th for a week of orientation that was exhausting; so much information and such an emotional roller coaster. It was great being with the other 56 YAGM as we are all going through this together and in the short time we have known each other, we have truly become a family. After spending hours at a time hearing about all of the possibilities of things that could happen to us over the next year it became overwhelming, but as the week continued the excitement was growing. Closing worship was amazing as we receieved blessings, anointed our hands for the work to come, and sang together in a way that brought tears for many and sounded like a call of hope. By the end of orientation we were all ready and as prepared as we could be for what is to come.
On the 22nd most of the YAGM left for their countries of service. I am currently still in Chicago. I am waiting for my visa which is either still in New York at the British consulate or hopefully on its way back to me so I can fly out. One would think that getting a visa to the UK would not be as difficult as it has been, but it has been awful and now I am stuck waiting. It was hard watching everyone else leave, but apparently it just isn't time for me to go yet. As soon as the visa gets here I will be headed to London where my placement is anxiously awaiting my arrival.
Luckily I'm not alone in Chicago and it really isn't a bad place to be stuck for a couple extra days, there is so much to do. However, I am so ready to go! I am excited to get to London and begin work, but for now I just have to wait. I am trying to use the days I am here to practice my patience. Not only is it a good life tool, but I think that in the work I'm going to do this year and as part of this leg of my journey it is going to be very important. Everything is going to work out and soon enough I will be on a plane crossing the pond to my new home for the next year (I can hardly wait)!
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