The 90 day update - Dubuque Living


What I want to do is paint a short picture of what my first 3 months in Iowa have been like. Where I started and how it's going. Iowa was never a destination I had in mind when I thought about my future but here we are... I might even be getting an Iowa license / plate soon (because insurance). 

The Beginning

- Dubuque was not what I expected (so hilly and squished). It wasn't flat like the rest of the midwest and all I could think was about how sad I was that I wasn't going to be able to ride my bike in the same way I had previously. Trust me, these are like mini-mountains some of the grades on these hills.

- The Lord provided early with an apartment (it's doable and a space that's mine. A place I'd want to be long term? No, but it's a start)

- The job was a rough start for me. There's always a learning curve with something new, but this was also learning an entire culture that has deep roots. Honestly, I cried every day after work for probably 3 weeks. 

- My early days were rhythmic. Every single morning I'd pray, "Lord, change me or change my circumstances.. but until then, help me to be faithful where I am". And every evening I'd get off work, zone out at home for about an hour, and then go for a walk. Repeat x5. I was okay with a slow existence after a fast-paced one for two years.

- Church shopping. Whatever your theology is on finding a church, I was church shopping. There were 4-5 churches I was especially interested in checking out. And my family lives by a "2 sips" rule where (pending discernment) you always try something at least twice. So, by that rule, that's about 8-10 services which could take... 2-3 months. I doubled up some Sundays. But that doesn't leave room for connecting with the people and honestly, I just missed Alliance Hortonville. I still listen to Brandon Hilstad regularly.

- Community was hard to come by. There were/are so few who are in the same season as me - late 20's and single. And it felt like most people already had their friends or had been a part of Emmaus for so long. The adjustment was tough. And without a church home, there was nowhere outside of EBC to invest and start building really.

90 days later...

Where are we now? Many "I" statements ahead:

- I am like 99% settled on a church

- Basketball started in October and I am thoroughly enjoying coaching, especially this team, they make it easy. There's a whole post I could write on the beauty and pain that is coaching but we will save that.

- I have a decent grasp on what my job entails and am grateful that there is space in my schedule to connect, disciple, and even speak in chapel (which I did once this semester - quite the topic I was given but prayerfully I did well)

- Faculty / staff get to participate in intramurals and in both sports so far, I've been on the winning team (actually hilarious to come in that way)

- There are many events the school does that I get to join in on and support students, faculty, and staff in.

- The coffee shop on campus, well at least one barista, knows my order. (That's a hot or iced caramel macchiato w/ oat milk & extra caramel)

- Friendships are forming (went and saw the Eras tour movie with a new friend and it was really enjoyable)

- I have begun to think to myself, "what will I do after basketball season... wait.. what will I do when students leave for the summer?" The pace is night and day different.

- The Lord is filling my schedule in ways I didn't expect but am grateful for

- I'm meeting regularly with a mentor and also getting to mentor others

- He's answering pieces of my earlier prayer and it's sweet to watch His hand work. Always.

So yeah, that's the 90 day update. I am certain there are other things I could add or maybe some things to take away. But I felt bullet pointed lists were a good way to convey the contrast and work through the timeline of what God is doing with my time here in Dubuque so far. I don't know what the days ahead hold or how they will shift and change. All this to say, it's okay that moves are uncertain or hard at first. I am grateful that I serve a God who knows and sees. 

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