Welcome to my new blog site!
Thank you all who have followed my 11 country, 11 month journey around the world. You all mean the world to me. I know I could not have done it without your constant prayers, support and love!! This is my new blog address so if you're interested in following my blogs still, I will be blogging at sarahperrotto.blogspot.com
As most of you know, I've been home from the World Race for about 3 1/2 weeks now and you're probably wondering, "soooo what's next, Sarah?" Or, "What have you been doing since you've been home?" Well, here's your opportunity to get an up close and personal look at the crazy, hecticness of "reentry" and what has been going on in my life. Maybe you're interested, maybe you're not. If nothing else, I need to write this for myself. To see that I haven't just bummed around, but rather the contrary- I've been running a million miles an hour!
I arrived back in Wilmington July 30th at 11:30 pm, hung out with my sister for about 24 hours and tried to unpack and repack over the first two days. I then headed to Minnesota for 4 days for my cousin's wedding. After the wedding, I returned to Wilmington, got my NC license (woo! I'm official!), learned how to drive my new stick shift car and took care of other logistical type things that had neglected for the past 11 months. My dear teammate and great friend, Meg, came to visit for a long weekend. We sat around reminiscing on the last 11 months and spent some quality time together. It was great to hang out with a friend who GOT me, who had experienced life with me on the Race. August 12th, I headed to Charleston to help one of my other wonderful friends with wedding things!! She said YES to the dress and we got to catch up and romp around Charleston for a few days- one of my most favorite cities! Also, I got to hang out with the little sis and see her new place. The 16th, I headed up to Lynchburg for some blood work and doctors appointments. We spent the weekend in northern VA at the Jimmy Buffett concert (an annual Perrotto tradition!). While there, I got to spend some time with another dear friend from high school who I hadn't seen in nearly 3 1/2 years!! The 20th, I headed back to the beach with high hopes of getting life somewhat in "order" since I had recently decided to pursue an accelerated degree in nursing. The past few days have consisted of visits from friend, coffee dates, applications, kayak tours and hours of online research about nursing schools, prerequisites and CNA (nurse aide) courses. Whew! It's been a whirlwind for sure.
Through all this "on-the-go," I realized that I don't know HOW to slow down. I don't know HOW to rest. I don't know HOW to "just be." I had to force myself to sit still and watch tv for a hour one day. I even had to force myself to sit and relax on the beach!!
In Matthew 11:28, Jesus says, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." My spirit is yelling, "THAT'S ME! I'M WEARIED AND BURDENED AND I NEED REST!" But my flesh is yelling, "GO! GO! GO! MORE COFFEE, MORE WORK, SLEEP WHEN YOU'RE DEAD! SO MUCH TO DO!"
I need some balance in my life.
Jesus, thank you for your grace and love and for calling us to yourself to find rest. I pray that you would teach me HOW to come to you when I am weary and burdened. Teach me how to be still and how to find my rest in You. I know that on my own I am just going to wear myself out and be running in circles. Give me Your strength, Your patience and Your grace to accept that I am where You want me and the faith to believe that You will guide me day by day. So, here I stand, with palms facing up in surrender, asking for not my will, but Yours be done. Amen!
