Today, I am 24.
Nothing feels different. Other than the
memories of within a year completing my 24th country,
getting engaged, applying for the most complicated and expensive
visa, receiving said visa, and preparing to move to a completely new
country and start a entirely new life as a pastors wife. Amongst
other things.
People ask me about my life and what I
have been up to and as I hear myself tell them of things I
have done, been apart of, and people I met. To be honest I can't even believe it myself. I hear the
words coming out of my mouth and think “is this my life?”
have done, been apart of, and people I met. To be honest I can't even believe it myself. I hear the
words coming out of my mouth and think “is this my life?”
Who am I?
I am (now) a 24 year old woman. Who was
born in Georgia, raised in Murfreesboro, Tennessee to a below middle
class mother and father who divorced by the time I was 9 years old.
Thus resulting to being raised in my teenage years by a single mom
and 2 sisters.
Life was never easy and money was
always a big issue.
That's why I sit here thinking about
the last 23 years of life and I am dumb struck and undone.
My life is a living testimony of what
faith in God can look like. I have never been in need of anything,
even down to the little things. Like recently, when I ordered a cheap
wedding dress online that turned out to be a disaster and someone, I
have never met, gives me a $2,000 dress that she has never worn. And it fits.
This Birthday I couldn't possibly
celebrate me. Everything I am today is only because of God. The
reality of my life is, without Him I am nothing. I would not be the
woman I am today without His hand evidently in my life. Along with
that there are so many people I am eternally grateful to have. People
who have fought for me, blessed me with prayer and finances, and been
there for me when I felt alone. That is who I celebrate today. My
favorite Teacher in High School, Mrs. Harris, used to tell us all the
time “life is not about me.” I can truly say that, that phrase
has gotten me out of so many selfish choices and has always been the
ticker tap guiding my decisions. It isn't always fun, but has proven
worthy.
I wanted to start this new blog. To be
even more raw than I have in the past. To start a new season
and new adventure. I always used to say my new year is my birthday because that is truly when I felt
things could change... I am not sure why I have always had that mindset, but I think I'll keep it.
and new adventure. I always used to say my new year is my birthday because that is truly when I felt
things could change... I am not sure why I have always had that mindset, but I think I'll keep it.
In just a few short weeks Nathan is
arriving once again in the Tennessee and our wedding is less than a
month away. I can not believe it. It is all happening so fast. By
October 5th I will be in England beginning my new life as
an Englishman's wife and a pastor's wife. 2 very strange titles I am
not sure I can live up to.
SO little time and so much to do!
Thank you to everyone for all the
Birthday wishes. This year is gonna turn my whole world upside
down and I can not wait.
down and I can not wait.
I've always loved a good life changing experience.
However, I do want to add with all of the "new" happening it does not mean I am no longer a missionary or will not be found in a foreign land or my own land sharing the love of Christ. Marriage does not equal settling. I was surprised to have many people in my life back away from praying for me or supporting me because "I am no longer on the mission field." If anything comes out of this change I hope that I reflect the heart of real missions in my life better than I have thus far.
All Glory To My King. My lover. My Friend. Yeshua!
Blessings!
