I hate to admit it, but I've become a wimpy Californian! I asked Gwyn if I could turn the heating on the other night! That's pretty sad. When I was a college student in Fort Collins, CO, I used to go to school in shorts, wooly socks, Birkenstocks, and a Mexican poncho! And now, I'm bundled up in my house at 68 degrees! (In Phoenix, this would have been arctic weather!) It's so interesting how our bodies acclimate to our surroundings - and it will do so every time there's a change.
Thinking over the last 30 years, my body has been in extreme weather changes:
From Phoenix, AZ to Rancho Palos Verdes, CA To Santa Maria, CA (central coast) To Glendale, CA To Luton, Bedfordshire, England To Wickford, Essex, England (marshlands) To Denver, CO (mile-high city) To San Diego, CA (temperate by the bay) Back to Phoneix, AZ (blistering hot!) To Concord, CA
This has made me ponder: When my surroundings changed, did I personally change? How? And why? My body acclimated to the weather/temperature of those locations, yes. But I suppose I would have had to adjust slightly for the circumstances we found ourselves in for each of those appointments too. Of course, there were experiences - good and bad - that shaped my character; age and wisdom; health and family circumstances also played a part.
I know that without a doubt, all of life's experiences to this point have made me a better person - not bitter. Yes, there's always room for more growth. I thank God that He has led me. And I know that I have to keep stepping out in faith. I don't know where I'll be going next (and I don't know when that will be), but I've learned so much within this fellowship and community too.
Having said that, I thank God for our team of employees, volunteers, soldiers, and friends of The Salvation Army that make this appointment another special moment in my life (and for my family).
Keep the staff and volunteers in prayer as we head into the busiest - and most visible - time of the year.
AnnMarguerite Jones