Homesick and Held: A January Diary Study in Stewardship
Dear Diary,
January was giving new job, homesick, with a touch of brave girl energy. From boarding flights to boarding school-style training, this month stretched me in every way. I’ve met some really incredible people, faced some nerves, and been reminded that God really does care about every detail. I miss home. I miss my people. But their support? It’s what is carrying me. Turns out you can feel so homesick and so held at the same time. Growth is weird like that.
The Strength in the "Small" Moments
Being away from home during such a high-stakes season has taught me that strength doesn't always come from a grand epiphany—it comes in the small, quiet moments of connection. There were days in the "Dallas freeze" where the walls of the hotel room felt a little too close and the weight of the training felt a little too heavy.
But then, a text would chime. A friend would reach out just to say they were praying. A handwritten letter from my sweet husband would arrive, acting as a physical anchor to the life I love back home. It’s those little moments of people reaching out that have helped me grow the most. They remind me that even when I am far away, I am not forgotten. Their support carries me through the long study sessions and the early morning flights. It gives me the strength to push through and see that God truly does care about every single moment of our journey.
Real Talk on the 40s
Heading toward my 40s, I don’t feel called to hustle harder. I feel called to steward better: the time, the body, and the work God has already given me. In this new season of flight attendant training, that stewardship looks like "brave girl energy" mixed with deep discipline. It’s about squeezing in workouts every chance I get to tend to my health and finding income with clarity, not pressure. Every little step, every passed test, and every workout is a brick in the foundation of the woman I am becoming. Each step makes you braver and braver.
The Anchor Verse
In the middle of the training and the travel, I’ve needed an anchor. My verse for this season is: “Lord, establish the work of our hands” — Psalm 90:17. Not force. Not strive. Just trust. Whether I’m studying for a test or boarding a flight from SAT to DAL, I am leaning into the truth that the strongest move is often just tending what is already in your hands.
The "Side Quest" & Connection
2026 feels like a series of important side quests. Beyond the wings and the uniform, I am focusing on investing in my marriage. Even from a distance, I’ve felt so supported. I’ve also found community in unexpected places, like the gym where friends make sure friends are safe during the heavy lifts. We even got to celebrate a passed test together with tacos and cheers!
Your Permission Slip
If you are entering 2026 feeling the pressure to go “faster,” here is your permission slip: your word for the year doesn’t have to be trendy. It just has to be honest. Sometimes the strongest move is just tending what is already in your hands.
