Harrisonburg, Virginia

I've been in Virginia for over three weeks now. I had a whirlwind move, taking me from Orlando to Tuscaloosa to Harrisonburg in a span of about 48 hours. This is my fourth week of work, but it's my first to be teaching. The other weeks I was prepping, getting used to this new company, getting used to the new university, and figuring what and how to do what I was supposed to be doing. Actually, I'm still figuring a lot of that out.

I'm working for a company called StudyGroup, USA. It's one of three branches of StudyGroup, the other two operating in the UK and Australia/New Zealand. Within StudyGroup, USA, there are two main programs: Embassy and International Study Centers (ISC). ISCs operate on university and college campuses, teaching international students English in order for them to fully matriculate into that university. I'm working at the ISC at James Madison University. This is one of four new ISCs started by SG this year. Originally, there was going to be two people at the JMU ISC, but due to a small enrollment, I am the sole day-to-day presence, meaning I get to teach and deal with the small administrative responsibilities. So far, so good.

It's been a good move in a lot of ways. I've really enjoyed the climate and landscape of the Shenandoah Valley. I'm only a two-hour drive from DC. I'm living downtown, allowing me to walk to campus if I'd like to, as well as walk to the Farmers' Market, grocery store, parks, and even Walmart (less than a 30-minute walk away). It's nice to have a job; it's good to have one in my field, too. And I've really been impressed by James Madison University. I don't think I could have been treated any better than I have. Even though I'm an affiliate of the university (as opposed to faculty or staff), I've been treated as part of the family from the get-go.

But, in some ways, it's frustrating being here. I'm not in the same city as Cathy and that's not fun. Being a 10.5-hour drive away is not ideal in any capacity. And since we had been living in the same city the whole time we've dated, it's sad to not have that anymore. (But yippee for Skype and webcams!) I'm also not near my parents or siblings, which I've been through before, but with Luke getting married in a month, there are some things I'm missing out on that I probably wouldn't have had I been closer. I'd really gotten used to being relatively close to home and the sibs over the past two and a half years, so I'm adjusting to that difference. (Although I'd be adjusting to it in a different way were I still in Alabama since Luke's moved to Atlanta and Bethany's moved to Miami.) I won't get to go to Alabama football games consistently, either. And I get to find a church, which is somewhat frustrating because I don't like shopping for churches or trying them out or seeing which one I like best or what suits me.

Through the beginning of this year, I'd prayed for a full-time position teaching English to international students. I applied around the world and around the country. I interviewed by webcam with a Korean organization. I emailed back and forth with universities in Saudi Arabia. I was blessed to teach part-time at UA for the spring semester and get some experience. I was definitely blessed to have the time and availability to go to Tanzania and work at Disney this summer. And this job practically fell into my lap, giving me a chance to put into practice not only what I've learned from the past two and a half years of studying and teaching, but all that I've learned. It's not necessarily romantic or idyllic or perfect; but there is goodness...and there is joy.

It's been wonderful to fall asleep the past couple of night with a cool night breeze coming in my window; I love 50 degree weather in August, with highs in the low 70s; I like walking to church (as I'm searching, one of my initial criteria is that it has to be within walking distance from my apartment); I like being close to Shenandoah National Park (one trip already); I really like the students I'm teaching and the opportunity to do so. It's definitely another adventure. And a great canvas for more of God's brushstrokes.