When I graduated high school, the two questions people asked me the most were: first, “Where are you going to college?” and second, “Where do you see yourself in five years?” Thankfully, I knew what college I was going to attend, so that answer came quickly. However, the second one was a bit more difficult. My answer changed a little bit depending on who asked me. To some people I would reply, “I hope to be finishing my credential program and becoming a teacher as soon as possible.” To others I would say, “I’m not quite sure, I think I would like to serve overseas for a while..” I didn’t really know how to juggle all the different passions and interests the Lord had given me, and still felt like I had to follow a “normal” path.
Well, here I am, five years later. The Lord has been beyond gracious to me and somehow managed to put me in a place where both of my previous answers to that difficult question have melted together. While I am not currently obtaining my credential, I am working at an international school in various capacities. I am a geometry teacher, an English teaching assistant, and I coach field sports and swimming in the afternoons. I also have quite a few students I tutor in various subjects. The best part is, I am doing it all overseas. I am fulfilling the desire to serve, learn from, and interact with a different people group, all while growing and maturing in my teaching abilities.
When presented with this two year opportunity, I jumped on it. It was described as “gap years” after graduating college. I appreciated this because while I knew I wanted to be in the classroom, 21 years old still felt too young for me to really dive into a full career. I also really felt convicted to go abroad and be a vessel for the Lord in whatever way He saw fit. By His divine grace and mercy, He led me to multiple organizations, including GoCorps, and I was on the field less than a year after graduating university.
I am 11 months in now and I don’t quite see it as “gap” years anymore. I am far from the typical route, so when I see friends getting married, having kids, or settling into careers, I do start to feel behind. However, I have a full life right where I am. I am still involved with people back in the States and I love to celebrate them from afar. Yet, I also really enjoy my job, my friends, my church, and my purpose here. The more I process everything going on, the more I realize that when I think of this commitment as “gap” years, it gives the impression that this is something I put my life on pause for. Instead, it has just become my life. It is a really hard, interesting, challenging, joyful season of life, but it is not a pause from reality. It is my new normal.
At this point, when I reach the end of my two year commitment, I believe I will return to the States. However, I won’t return just ready to pick up exactly where I left off. I never pressed the pause button, I just kept living. My desire is that when I return I will be kinder, more courageous, more aware of others, and willing to ask difficult questions. I hope that this season of my life affects and challenges me in whatever the Lord has me do next. We don’t just press pause or take a “gap” year(s), we keep living and learning. I think it’s wonderful.