Welcome to Georgia!

Well, I've been in Georgia for a little over a week now, and I can already tell that God is just going to blow up this season far more than I ever expected. (Which I kind of expected, because he always does the most unexpected things in my life, in the best of ways.)

My trek across the country was long, but so incredibly good, and God blessed me continuously along the way. My first stop (after a 15 hour drive) was Ft. Collins, Colorado, where I was able to spend time with two team mates, Emily and Tom. We drove around the city, visited Estes Park and Boulder, and had a grand ol' time. We also got our team CLP from the World Race to come around with us (via pictures of their faces everywhere we went). I also froze in temperatures that never really ever went above 32, which is pretty cold for this Arizona girl.

After Ft. Collins, I went on my way to Nashville, Tennessee. I thought that I would try and make the 17+ hour drive in one go without stopping, but I made it to about St. Louis and decided it would be a good place to stop. God provided an awesome hotel where they gave me a discount just because. He is so good!

In Nashville I was able to catch up with Tina, a team mate from my ministry internship a few years ago in Pennsylvania. We were also able to meet up with some WR squad mates, Scott and Sarah! It was a blessing to talk and laugh and catch up, sharing stories from near and far.

From Nashville I drove south to Alabama to visit some family that I haven't been able to see in many years (since I was across the country in Arizona). It was such an awesome blessing to see them again in person, catch up with them, play games and laugh. I was so blessed, and my heart was filled. It's always a blessing to be together with family, and family that loves the Lord. I was also able to share a bit more about my trip with the World Race, and show some more videos and pictures.

And finally, from Alabama, I made my last stretch and found myself home in Gainesville, Georgia. I will go into more detail in my next blog about what it's looked like to be here in Georgia, but suffice it to say for right now that I feel completely at home. God has placed a deep peace in my heart, and I can't wait to see what God does in this season in my life, and in the lives of those around me.

He is making us new, and bringing us all into a new season together.

Thank you so much for your prayers during my journey across the country! 

Time to Move

Well, here comes the day. It came just as quickly as I thought it would (maybe even a little sooner, time just seems to fly by), and so tomorrow before the sun even breaks across the sky, I'll be on my way.

Tomorrow begins another chapter. Another page. A new adventure. The day I move to Georgia. It begins with a trek across the country, my car loaded down with some possessions  headed into the unknown. Unknown, but yet completely known.

Known because I know that God has every road, every turn, every step laid before me. And I'm ready to walk into it. I can't wait to see what He has in store for these next eight months in the CGA program at Adventures in Missions. A time of mentoring, growing, learning, stretching. A time to worship, be in community. See friends, make new ones. Begin again.

A new adventure with the lover of my soul. My Savior and King. An adventure into being who I am, walking fully in freedom, and bringing heaven to earth, releasing His kingdom to those I encounter. A time to pray, seek, plan, and dream.

I can't wait to see the dreams He puts on my heart, and how He leads. I feel like this is just a completely blank page before me. I don't know what to expect, and usually, that's when God shows up the most. For the first time in a long time, I have absolutely no idea what will happen at the end of this next plan. In the past I've always had vague ideas of what I would like to do at the end of one plan. 

I've prayed about it, and nothing has surfaced. Not even really a hint. Except to bring the kingdom. So, I can only assume that God has some big plans to blow me out of the water with, and I am excited to dream and step into that with Him when the time is right.

He has lined up so many things perfectly, I feel so incredibly blessed and humbled by it all. I have $3,000 of my $3,600 in support raised (through pledges and actual donations), and I was able to transfer to the Starbucks in Gainesville. God's fingerprints have been all over this from the beginning. 

So here it goes...with the snippet that has been playing over and over in my mind this past week.

The road goes ever on and on, down from the door where it began. Now far ahead the road goes on, and I must follow if I can."

Georgia, I'm comin' for ya. 

A lot has Happened...

Well, it's been a long while since my last blog post, and quite a lot has happened since then. I won't hash out all of the details in full length here, but to give you an idea of what the past two-ish months have looked like...

...been working my two jobs, nannying and Starbucks all week long, which I love. Especially Starbucks, it's seriously my favorite job I've had so far.

...my dad had a heart attack a few weeks ago. That was terrifying/an emotional roller coaster/a lot of everything rolled up into a small amount of time. Thankfully he is on the mend, and God is at work! Maybe I'll write a blog about this some time in the future....it was one wild weekend...and still is a journey in and of itself.

...my brother got to come home for Christmas! Which is a big deal, well, it's always a big deal, he's my baby brother. But last year we were both on the other side of the world for Christmas, so it has been fantastic to be home this year.

...been putting together Christmas presents/making Christmas presents, etc.

...doing art as much as I can. During church worship, doing hand lettering, just doodling to get the creative juices flowing.

...trying to keep my head above water sometimes, rebuking fear and walking in Christ's freedom. Trying to figure out what that all means, and how to bring the kingdom every day.

And finally...

I've been making plans for my move to.....Gainesville, Georgia!

I will be leaving Tucson on January 13th, and making my way across the country to my home for eight months in Gainesville, Georgia. I will be working with AIM (Adventures in Missions, the organization that I did the World Race with) in a program called Center for Global Action (or, CGA). You can check it out at this link if you want to read about it! 

Words seem to be cluttering my brain right now, but I don't know how to write them out on paper. How to properly convey what these past few months have been like, especially last month. God has been stretching me in ways I didn't think I could hold up under, but He brought me through. I feel like I'm still processing it all.

But I look forward to this new season. This new chapter that beckons on the horizon. God has me in His hands, and He has my best in mind. I know that He has some sweet kingdom plans and purposes that he has prepared in advance for me to do, during my time in Georgia and beyond. It is bittersweet to say "see ya later" to Tucson once more, but I yearn for the adventure ahead.

While listening to Grahm Cooke's "Kingdom Identity" last week, I finished up the series and he had some profound things to say. It hit me so close to home that I paused it every few seconds so I could copy down word for word what he was saying. I could feel the Lord beckoning me through the words, and I'll share them here for you.


This chapter is about to close. The next chapter is about to unfold. This next chapter is about you living in an all together different state. An all together different place. An all together different way of thinking and being. Enjoy the next chapter as it unfolds. But you need to leave you unbelief and your doubts and your fears and your worries in this chapter. Don't take them with you on the journey. You need to repack your case for the next steps you're going to take. Leave that baggage behind and take some new luggage with you. But you can unpack the promises that I have set aside for you. Leave your doubts behind, and pack some promises in your case for the next leg of your journey.