Welcome to Austin!
What an exciting adventure awaits you! You may not be able to see it now, but this will be a season of leaving home, growing up, and healing your heart. There will be times when it will be really hard, like when you aren't sure if you'll have enough money to cover your bills, or when you get really sick and don't have health insurance yet. Don't worry. Don't panic. The Lord has you in His hands. He is never going to leave you! He has such great things for you - and you'll come out of it all more compassionate and whole. The pain will eventually stop.
I know you're going to resist what God is going to do, but you should say YES. He wants you to be healed and His heart towards you is so full! You're going to learn a lot about your identity, and a lot about lies you've believed about yourself. Just submit to the process. It's going to be hard, but you'll be surrounded by a supportive community of girlfriends/roommates and church. You're going to actually look and feel completely different when all is done!
Did I mention you're going to have FUN?! Austin is the best place to live, there is so much to do! When Megan invites you to play sand volleyball, say yes! You're going to meet the best people through that activity. (They're actually going to become your church family, so pay attention!) And take advantage of all the unique things Austin has to offer - swimming holes, parks, restaurants, free movie nights, etc. Explore it all and enjoy it!
And don't fret about when you're going to get married. The Lord knows your heart's desires. And he knows what needs to happen in your heart for it to grow and be healed before you receive someone else's love.
When you lose your job, again, don't fret. The Lord has you. He will take care of you, but more than that, He is working something so much deeper and more real than you know. Keep applying places - eventually you'll find a job at Starbucks that will teach you more about people and relationships than you ever could read from a book.
And then the breakthrough! Oh, how glorious and exciting it will be! Working in Cardiac Rehab again, engaged, and heart full. Enjoy that time of newness and possibility!
I don't know if I can say this enough, but don't fret about whether you'll get pregnant and bear your own child. Just give it over to the Lord, He knows and has thought about your children before the foundations of the world. He also can heal and bring life, in any circumstance.
Watch out for the first 8 weeks after your daughter is born. Those are a doozy. But it gets better! And you'll finally stand on your own two feet again.
Above all, maintain your community. They will catch you when you fall, and carry you when you can't walk anymore. God shows His love through your friends. Keep them! They may be a little cooky and different, but they're good.
God has a really great adventure for you. Hold on, it's going to be a wild ride.
Reba
