Next Steps

Oh, Charleston-- how I will miss thee.

After 2 years in South Carolina, I’m returning to home to Alabama!

Okay, not my hometown, but closer. At least in the state I refer to as home.

I wish I could say it was my idea.

So at the end of July as my term as a VISTA Leader was coming to a close, I was seeking leads. What was I going to do next? I was grateful for the opportunity to go to Dallas with my parents and clear my head a bit. I had been talking to people and sending my resume out lots of places. Doors were closing—almost at a supernatural rate, I decided. So I prayed and asked for the Lord to show me where doors were open. The next morning I felt what could only be described as a whisper on my heart: Birmingham.

So, moving to Birmingham was always an option. I figured after I got the Carolinas out of my system and earned some money, I could move back. I mean it seemed to be where most of the cool kids lived (aka those with whom I graduated). Sure, why not? But not now.

I figured I could move to the Ham if things didn’t work out here. I mean, I love Charleston, right?

Can I just tell you that during the one week mulled over what to do traffic in Charleston was a nightmare? And it flooded. None of these things were out of the ordinary, but it was as if my decision was being made for me. And I am okay with that.

Those of you that know me know that I am incredibly indecisive about important things. Small things, not so much, but the big ones, I have to poll the audience 12 times over. And then I will most likely choose the other option.

But I never asked for what to do about this.

Because I knew.

I knew that I knew that I knew that this was the path. I didn’t know what I would find when I get there, but I’m going. Sure, I will miss the people I’ve had the opportunity to know and the beach being so close and Charleston and the beach and the food and South Carolina and the beach; and suddenly, all of that didn’t seem supremely vital.

So I began to tell people that I was moving. And it began to feel real. And I was so blessed to be able to share the Who (me), What (TBD?), When (soon-ish), Where (B’ham-ish), and Why (God). I am not naturally a person that steps out in faith, but I am so excited about whatever it is that lies ahead. Even if the reward is that of obedience and absolutely nothing comes out of this, I would do it again.

So, those of you in the B’ham area, I look forward to seeing you soon! I’m trying to get all the important details sorted out now.

I finished my term as a VISTA Leader a few weeks ago. I shared with our members that it will take time to process all that one has truly gained from the VISTA experience and I look forward to it. There is a new batch of VISTAs and Leaders starting in Charleston, so think about them as the work continues.

Thanks for your continued support.

"Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be the glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen." -- Ephesians 3:20-21

That, my friends, is WHY I AM STILL SMILING.