Its been a long time

It has been 12 weeks since I left Manderson and I am half way through my first semester of seminary. When I left Manderson I left a piece of my heart.

August was a whirlwind month. Just a quick recap, I was home for a week. I flew to Jackson Hole, Wyoming to help move my best friend across the country. I spent 3 days driving over 1600 miles in a 15 foot rental truck. I moved into my grownup seminary apartment (I have to pay rent and utilities now) and I started my Masters degree.

September came with going back to work as a student secretary and getting used to going to class again. I had to remind myself over and over again why I wanted to return to school.

October has also been busy. My sister got married and I was a faith promise speaker at a small church in Michigan.

Sometimes I wonder where the last three months of life went. I have been consumed with reading books, writing papers, and I’m working on figuring out a new normal for my life.

I left Manderson changed. I am not the same person that I was a year ago. God used that community to shape and mold me.

Today I met with someone at Church of God ministries to talk about the reservation.
It reminded me of my passion for Pine Ridge. It reminded me of my friends in Manderson.

It reminded me that at the community Pow Wow in Manderson, my YouthWorks Staff and I were invited to join the community Chow Line. When I questioned our place in line to a friend, he said you are a part of this community like the rest of us.

It reminded me of my little Wicozani who fell and hit her head on the playground this summer. It reminded me of her aunt Pam, age 12, who brought her to me bloodied so that I might care for her. It reminded me of Pam’s bravery to act older than she was and Wicozani’s bravery through the pain.

It reminded me of climbing Camel’s Back with Heather and Katriina; even though I didn’t do it that much while I lived in Manderson.

It reminded me of Bette’s Kitchen and daily specials. It reminded me that Bette has the best food on the Rez.

It reminded me of fun two hour conversation in the car with Laura on the drive to Rapid.

God has placed Pine Ridge on my heart and as I go through this process of seminary I am learning to love the Lakota at a distance. I know that God has me here at this place at this time for a specific purpose. While my heart may be in Manderson, my body and soul are here in Anderson.