About 6 months into my first year of national service, COVID-19 became a large issue in my community and organization. It affected our everyday work, bringing us to work from home, open a community fund for relief efforts, and view the current child care crisis from a new lens. A lot was on my plate when this issue arose, and on top of it all, I was looking for and applying to jobs for once I completed my year of service in Bozeman, MT.

I had such a good time during my first year that I decided I wanted to pursue a second year of service. I spent some time interviewing for other AmeriCorps positions in Arizona, Texas, and Massachusetts, as I did not plan to stay in Montana – until I got asked to apply for a leadership position here. I figured, why not. I know the organization, I like the people, love the mountains, let’s do it.

Fast forward a few months, I would soon be moving to Missoula, MT to take on the position of AmeriCorps Senior Leader. I was full of excitement because this position would allow me to see what Montana Campus Compact does on a larger scale, with academic mentors hosted in colleges, high schools, and other organizations across the state. I took a car load of my belongings to my new house, then went back to Bozeman and stayed there as long as I could before I began my new position. I didn’t feel ready to leave. Once a few weeks passed, I packed up the rest of my things, filling my car, and drove to Missoula where I would spend the next year.

Unfortunately this transition wasn’t all uphill for me. As soon as I moved into my new house, I had a rough few weeks. I didn’t feel like this was my home and began questioning the decision I had made. I had done this all once before: moved to a new place, alone, for a job, but this time was a bit different. I recognized that moving during a pandemic was one reason for the uncertainty I felt, then slowly began to acclimate. Fast forward a few more weeks, I began feeling much better about where I am at and why I am here.  

While I think there will be many times in my life where I question what I am supposed to be doing and where I am supposed to be, I believe that everything happens for a reason. I am confident that this year is teaching me one of the most important lessons in life: to live in the moment, and to make the best of what’s right in front of me. I know that this year is contributing to the creation of my next best self. They say that service is what you make of it; so I am going to make this year a great one.  

“It’s amazing what can happen when you aren’t attached to the outcome.”