simply homemaker

Hello friends,

It’s me again, typing on my $300 computer that carried me through my entire master’s degree, writing to you that this degree is finished.

Two years, two trips abroad, three case competitions, countless of hours driving and commuting into DC by the metro – we are done.

I am sitting by my window this morning, listening to birds as most mornings this Spring, playing “reading in a cozy library” on Spotify. When I was at L’abri, my friend and roommate, Claire Beer, was having this playlist on in the background while she stretched in our room and we talked. And now, this album still brings me back to the quiet time of conversing and moving my body in the beautiful Alps, with friends.

Thank you, Jesus, for everything.

As soon as the degree ended, my body went straight into rest mode. Having done this 18 times now, I know the rhythm: I work very hard for 2 weeks straight, and then I rest without any stress. In the past week, little Priscilla and I watched Cars almost every day in the afternoon (we finished Cars 2, Cars 3, half a Cars show, and now rewatching Cars 2). I planned my move, got a rug, made a list of what needs to go and what can stay. I slept in until 8 most morning. I texted friends and shared news with them. Life is blessed.

This is also no longer the year of 2021, when I graduated with my whole family streaming live to watch from the other side of the globe. This year, they are here. Three days ago, my parents flew in from Vietnam, and we started cooking the moment they got here. I am so grateful for the Ruffin’s hosting my family – when my brother gets here, it will be 12 people who live under a roof! Keny told me not to tell the fire marshal.

This season of life has been sweet with girlfriends, as well. I remember this time 4 years when I graduated at TCU, Emily King (EK) was curling my hair the morning of our graduation. Brooke threw me a surprise graduation party because my family could not be here. Veronica and Emily Rose and I finished our round 5 of Six Flags. And the morning after graduation, EK and I threw a brunch garden party for 30 of our friends to celebrate their graduation as well.

This year, I am still spending all the time I’m not spending with my family and with the Ruffin’s with my girlfriends. Last week, a letter from Ruthie came, and we’re starting our pen pal series again for the summer! My friends from church and I got Thai food. My friend Alice came over. Tonight, I’m heading to my friends Blair and Lauren’s apartment for our classic girls’ night in – Chick Fil A and a rom com.

How am I feeling, you might ask? I have realized in the past couple years that I have resorted to go into logistics mode and reserved all my feelings to the end.

I feel nostalgic.

I remember the feelings of 4 years ago, moving to Virginia for the first time. Everything was new and I was bright-eyed and didn’t miss a beat. I roamed around the city collecting trinkets from Facebook Marketplace and meeting new friends. I jumped straight into the new church routine and community. I got to know the city, the office buildings and the Thai restaurants and the local Anthropologie.

I feel ready to step into a season of steadiness.

I’m not starting new things this round, I’m coming back to the things I love. I wrote the pottery studio last week. I signed up for a trial pilates class. I’m bringing my favorite things with me to start life, not buying anything new (this is a huge goal of mine this time). I’m hoping to get at least 3 more years of use out of what I currently have before considering switching things out – so yes to the Pinterest boards only for inspiration.

I feel grateful.

Virginia has done a lot to my soul. I never knew my heart could open to so much natural beauty and history. I have developed an appreciation and a taste for God’s beauty in new ways. Virginia inspired my trip to Switzerland, more than anything else. Virginia opened my heart to familial love. The City Gates Church is the first church where I can easily call so many people my family. These people know me, love me, and pray for me. I feel blessed to have spent the first 4 years of my post-graduate life here, where I was so loved and so supported. It has truly been the biggest blessing of my life to be connected to my home church in Virginia, and this place shall always remain special in my heart.

I feel loved.

More than anything, I feel loved by my Heavenly Father, who has kindly but firmly directed me this way. He has upheld and chastened me again and again until my heart was tended like obedient soil. It was He who put ministry on my heart; it was He who opened this door and firmly closed the other ones, and it was He who gave me a peace and quiet joy of knowing I had decided to follow Jesus.

I am in the hands of the capable and loving One. Loved by an everlasting love, and underneath, are the Everlasting Arms.

The next time I write to you, I will have officially graduated and probably will be on my way to Grand Canyon for a family trip. One more round of packing and shuffling, and then we are on our way.

See you then?

Love,

Tram