A friend asked me what my greatest blessing was since moving to Nashville and all I could say is WOW, my greatest blessing...but this was my answer:
God has blessed me more than I ever deserved and it brings tear to my eyes to think about it because I can't imagine where I would be without him. I think my greatest blessing was the lack for money and a job. Why do I say that because without money I didn't have cable, money for movies, eating out all the time, internet... in other words distracts, things to occupy my time. The blessing of not having a job was being at home with nothing to distract me but God. I was able to finish a couple of the books you gave me and read my Bible on how to cope with being in a new place. I was able to walk Duke with thoughts of prayers for our new beginning. I like to say God and I were tight during those "hard" times as most people would see it. I did have difficult days at times, but I had all the time in the world to discuss it with God. I grew more spiritually in those 4 months than I have in a long time. I have a new perspective on a lot of things. I find myself going to prayer more often even in moments were I thought I could do it myself. I have been able to speak for my faith in times of fear. Ultimately, I was able to work at a place (Cracker Barrel) that I didn't like with an attitude that I was there to show the world Christ if nothing else and that got me through my 4 months of getting up at 4:00 am to work a 12 hour day just to pay the rent. When I look back and see that that was almost a year ago, I would do it again in a heartbeat. One thing has change since that time and that is my job, but I am glad to say that my relationship with God is still the same!
There are so many more, but that one sticks out in my mind. I am not great with words but I hope that I was able to communicate the feeling behind how blessed I feel.
August doesn't seem so long ago until I think about how much has happen since then. My how time flies when you are having fun! I have been in Nashville 7 months now and it is as wonderful now as it was the day I moved here, but keeps getting better. I have made some wonderful friends, joined a book club (even though I don't read.. ha), gotten a wonderful job, found a church home, but most of all I have found a place to call home.
I am working for All Phase Exteriors, as the office manager and advertising coordinator. In case you are wondering, it is a gutter installation company. The best part is I don't have to work on weekends!
I live close to my sister, Gena and my niece and nephew, so it is nice to be able to have lunch with then every now and then. It is also a joy to watch my niece and nephew grow up.
At my church home, I have join a fellowship group so I am meeting some of the older members of the congregation that I would not normally hang out with. They are all wonderful Christian people.
I met a guy in the parking lot of my apartment complex when I first moved to Nashville, found out that he was from Hattiesburg, MS. We talked about MS things and found out that we both loved football, just different schools. He is a Southern Miss fan, but I won't hold it against him. Well, about 6 months went by... he kept Duke for me when I would go out of town... then on Nov. 18 he asked me if I would be interested in dating him. So we have been dating for about a month. He is in med school, grad school and works 2 jobs, so he stays pretty busy. But still manages to have time for me. He is very sweet. He is an added bonus to all the wonderful things going on in my life right now.
God is blessing me in so many ways. I could not have asked for a better transition from a place I had lived all my life to a place I barely knew anything about!
I hope you all have a wonderful holiday and may God bless you as he has so richly blessed me!!
If you are ever in the Nashville area, give me a call!
Well I have been in Nashville 3 months tomorrow. It is amazing that it has been that long, but it doesn't seem like it. I have been working four jobs waiting for my full time job to start in September. I have been working at Cracker Barrel, cleaning a house and an office and then I have been working one day a week for the company I will be working for full time beginning in September.
God has blessed me so much! When I came to Nashville I didn't know anyone specific (other than my sister who lives about 20-30 minutes away) and I didn't have a job. It was just me and duke on a new adventure and what a great adventure it has been. We had time to spend together for the first month while we waited for God to answer prayers for a job. When the prayers were answered, patience was needed even more because I was having to adjust to working ALL the time. By all the time I mean 7 days a week. But I had to remind myself that when I prayed I asked for a job and was desperate, so there was no room for specifics just I needed a job. (next time I might be a little more specific..hahahaha)
I have learned a lot in these 3 months. I have grown closer in God in amazing ways. I have seen him work in ways that I never have before and it is have been awesome! I have had the courage so share my faith and have courageous conversations. It is just so wild! I can't believe it. God is able to do immeasurable more than we ask or imagine. That verse has come to life for me, more than it ever has before.
I have found a few good friends, joined a book club, joined a prayer group, meet many wonderful Christian people, found out what it is like to work in the food industry, found out what my dad feels like when he hasn't had a break from work in a while, grown closer to God (and continuing to grow) in prayer and in the word and found a place I love!!
When I was in Oxford I few weeks ago, Bob preached on Trusting God Even When It Hurts. The sermon is so close to home for me. When I found out that my mom had cancer, I thought that I was not suppose to move. I felt like I had been near my family for 28 years and nothing major had happened but the minute I was leaving the bottom was falling out. But with my prayers and blessings of my parents. I am hear. My mom is doing better and has been to visit a few times. Things are getting better. My mom is half way to the end of her treatments, I have a job, my niece was born healthy, prayers are bein answers, so what more could you ask for.
Thanks for all the prayers and encouragement! I love you all. (maybe it won't be so long before I post again)
This picture was taken just after Abby was born, with her aunt ann.
Abby and her mom were able to come home on Monday. They are both doing well.
My mom was able to be there for support, which is an answered prayer. God is SO good!!!
Thanks to everyone who prayed for us over the last few months especially. Those prayers have been answered.
GOD IS WORKING!!
This picture was taken as she was getting ready to come home from the hospital.
Well I finally did it. I moved to Nashville. I have been living here what will be a week tomorrow. It has been fun finding places around me and my way around, but stressful and frustrating at the same time.
I have made a few friends. I have found 2 congregations that I am torn between. I like different aspects of each one, so I am not sure what I am going to do yet.
I also got a job! I start the first week in September.
You can check out their website if you would like
http://www.allphaseext.com/
I feel really good about the job. I think it will be a job I will enjoy as well as give me the opportunity to do other things that I enjoy such as spending time with friends and family, doing service projects and traveling.
Right now, I am trying to find a summer job to get me through until I start my real job in September. So keep praying about that for me.
God is providing for me in so many ways. He makes a great pilot, you should let him fly all the time.
Thanks for all the prayers and encouragement. I am slowly making my new home in Nashville, but Oxford will always hold a special place in my heart. See you at football season, if not before. (you knew I wouldn't miss it... :) )