simply homemaker

Hi all!

I can’t believe that six months have passed since I sent my parents off to the airport, loaded all my possessions on a train, and traveled across the country to move to Orlando, Florida.

In the past six months, this place has truly become a home. I have loved the process of curating this space, picking out what goes on the wall, setting up the Christmas tree, hanging the ornaments up. I have found myself missing this home during my travels, the coziness and sweetness and having my own house for the first time, just the way I want it.

Work has gone well! I have learned a lot about myself, what I like, and what I might like to do in the future. Working at Cru has also truly been a blessing. I got to celebrate Thanksgiving and Christmas with the rest of the Cru community, and they really do know how to celebrate well! I am also taking on new projects that will stretch my mind and skills. I feel super blessed to be here.

One of the sweetest things has been the community that I have built here. Last night, four girlfriends and I went to St. Augustine to have dinner at Harry’s (the most amazing New Orleans restaurant in St. Augustine) and see the Christmas lights! We had such sweet talks on the car and waiting 1 hour and 40 minutes just to get into the restaurant.

I have also started counseling and it’s been a tremendous help. Since starting the counseling process, I have felt my heart soften again. I think having to “brave” life for the past couple years has somehow toughened me up a little, and in the last month alone, I find myself able to cry more. The things we’re grateful for when we are older.

One thing I really miss this month is moving my body. Traveling for holidays has made it more difficult, but I find things like SHiNE (my dance class at work) and also walking 100x times to the post office to send out Christmas cards to be very helpful.

Somehow the semester has flown by. Friendsgiving came and went, so sweet with 15 guests, so simple with everyone bringing food, so funny because I ran straight into my glass door and broke my glasses (thank God, as I should have retired those glasses years ago). Student ministry wrapped up with much fruit and anticipation for a student to come to Christ soon… Thanksgiving in Texas was sweet, as I got to see many good friends, and throroughly enjoyed the city that was once home.

The Christmas tree has been set up, the Christmas cards have been sent out, the Christmas gifts have been packed into a suitcase. Somehow, this feels like the first adult Christmas I’ve really had.

Writing this blog next to my lit up Christmas tree, a burning candle leftover from the fall, and some instrumental music playing in the background. Somehow, in the city where I did not see much beauty, so much beauty has been curated, and I’ve learned something about homemaking here.

I will be spending the next week hard at work, and then flying home for Christmas on December 20! I will be spending time with my parents, working during the day, but having all our meals together and enjoying the evenings with them. Best of both worlds! At the end of my trip, we will spend a week in the south of Vietnam to visit extended family and take a simple but sweet family vacation.

The older I grow, the more I realize that it has never been what is shiny and fancy but what is simple that is most memorable.

I’ve been reading an Advent devotional gifted to me by a friend named Rebekah that has sweetly poured into me over the last two years. The book was written by a woman born and raised in Provence, France. It has taught me a lot about waiting for Jesus and what can look so differently depending on where you are. But wherever you are, He is coming, and we shall await Him with equal reverence, equal participation, equal awe.

I sense some change coming next year, as it has been the case every year. Yet after much change I am now more open to it. Change is hard, but better things come when we are not so attached to our ideas of a wonderful life.

But for now, it is today, this place, this week. It’s December in Orlando. It’s dreaming about January and February and March in a land that does not snow.

I love you and I’m so grateful for you. One more Christmas, one more chance to practice waiting for Christ and pardoning one another. Merry Christmas, everyone.

Love,

Tram