2015 in Retrospect

“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.”  - Lamentations 3:22-23

At the end of each year I devote a blog post to looking back at the past year and “snapshotting” it.  2015 was for sure a year I will never, ever forget.  I think it will be a year ingrained in my memory for multiple reasons until Jesus comes back.  2015 offered for me exciting and new changes, and in tandem hard challenges as well.  It’s been an exciting year to watch my dreams become reality and to take on new and exciting opportunities, but it has also been a challenging year as homesickness and heartache among other emotions, have crept up at the most unexpected times.  Through every millisecond, though, God has been my constant and enduring support and has most definitely shown me this year, in ways I’ve never experienced before, that He is always with me.

NEW JOB

When I get off the elevator to my 7^th floor, downtown Nashville office, there is a big emblem on the floor that says “Executive Committee of the Southern Baptist Convention.”  I want to shake my head every day as I exit the elevator and walk to my office for the pure fact that I cannot believe I work here.  Many of you know the story of my journey to my “dream” job.  If not or if you need/want a refresher, I shared about it in last year’s retrospect (click here to read) and also in some earlier 2015 blog posts (New Beginnings and Six Month Nashville Update).  

Floor Logo at SBC Executive Committee Office

I have learned SO INCREDIBLY much about the Southern Baptist Convention this year.  I thought I knew a lot, but boy was I wrong!  It’s been really neat, for me, to see the processes and “behind the scenes” things that happen that make both the Southern Baptist Convention and the summer Annual Meetings succeed in our SBC world.  Before I’d only really been a recipient of the things the Executive Committee had arranged or put together.  Now, I’m a part of helping to put those things together and if you know me, you know that’s exactly where I love to be – right smack dab in the middle of working with others to accomplish great things for the Kingdom!  And my workplace does that each and every day and I am so blessed to be a part of it!

The highlight of the year for me, of course, would have to be the summer Annual Meeting that was held, this year, in Columbus, Ohio.  If you are unfamiliar with the Annual Meeting it is basically a big gathering of Southern Baptist churches/leaders/organizations where over 5,000+ people (sometimes more) are in attendance and make decisions for our denomination while at the same time hearing preaching and singing worship songs.  While this was not my first Annual Meeting to attend, it was my first one to be an actual employee.  The week was very fast-paced, but that’s what I love about it!  My main duty was to put together and send to print our daily bulletin publication that contained up-to-the-minute information that could only be printed once sessions were completed.  This was fun, but challenging too.  I don’t think anyone could have prepared me for how it would work; I was only going to know how it worked after experiencing it.  Everything worked well, however, and I have some mental notes of how to make next year more fluid for myself.  

My view of the 2015 SBC Annual Meeting from the stage

I also was able to coordinate the pages this year at the 2015 Annual Meeting.  My first true introduction to Annual Meetings was actually as a volunteer page (aka gopher, runner).  I was responsible for taking the motions people had written or discussed and making copies of those and delivering them to the appropriate individuals.  I had commented in previous blogs that I wished I could be a page for life…and as it turned out, that wish came true!  This year, I not only got to do my “old paging job,” but I also helped to coordinate the pages that worked the microphones by having their supplies ready and also giving them information of what to expect, times they were needed, etc.  It was like a full-circle experience for me and also for my (now) co-workers.  These individuals had remembered me working as a volunteer page and one even had a nickname for me – “Motion Girl” – which is now a nickname that some people call me around here. :)

My accomplishments this year include all of the publications that I am responsible for putting together.  A lot of my job requires compiling information/advertisements from our various SBC entities around the country (these include seminaries, mission boards, and the like).  It involves organization and checklists…lots and lots of checklists!  The other part of my job involves putting together publications that contain this information I have compiled.  Most of the publications are for the Annual Meeting.  However, because I am responsible for about 3-4 different publications for this one event, I have to manage my time out from January to May as I work on these publications at the same time.  Talk about time management!  The other publication I work on during the same time and also after the Annual Meeting is the SBC Annual which is a book that contains all the information about what happened during the previous year.  I’m so thankful for a very detailed and organized predecessor who left me copious notes and timelines so that I could stay on track with all of these publications – she made an intense task be a lot less stressful for me…and for that I am very grateful!  I have also had the opportunity to take on other projects this year and have enjoyed working with others to get those projects accomplished.

A few of the SBC publications I created and designed this year

This past year of working at the SBC headquarters has been like a dream for me.  I’ve had the honor of hearing amazing speakers, meeting people I’ve only ever read about, and also working with some pretty incredible people.  My coworkers are what have made my experience here so much richer than I could have ever imagined.  They’ve been there for me and supported me through all of my emotions.  They’ve prayed for and with me and have been there when I’ve needed them.  God is blessing me here at my job and I am excited to see what 2016 brings for us at the Southern Baptist Convention!

NEW CHURCH

When I moved to Nashville, I visited many churches, seeking God’s will for the one He would have me join.  About the third month in, I settled on Brentwood Baptist Church.  This church is special to me for a number of reasons.  First of all, my family’s pastor of the church we were a part of when we lived in Hong Kong is now the missions pastor there so I have known he and his wife since I was a child.  Secondly, I had traveled with Brentwood Baptist on three of their past six mission journeys to Hong Kong.  Brentwood is what most would consider a mega-church, but the only way you get yourself out of that mindset and into knowing and fellowshipping with people is to get involved!  And if you know me, you know that’s right in my wheelhouse!

My main involvement at Brentwood Baptist this year has been in Children’s Ministry.  In looking at how I could be involved in the Children’s Ministry and in talking to the Children’s Minister at Brentwood, I decided to become the 5^th grade Life Group (Sunday School) director.  No one had wanted to take on the responsibility of this particular class because it is the only children’s class that combines all of that particular age group together…which of course makes for a really big class!  My average each week is around 50 kids.  The large group makes for an interesting Sunday each week, but we have a great time and they are really good listeners and add a lot to each lesson.  I couldn’t do it, though, without some amazing co-teachers and they really help make my directorship easy!!  

Over the summer, I had the opportunity to be a part of a mission trip designed specifically for 5^th graders.  This was actually with my 2014-2015 group (who I began teaching in April 2015).  The 5^th graders were responsible for planning and leading an actual Vacation Bible School at a local BBC church plant.  It was such a blessing to watch these kids who I was teaching on Sunday mornings “take over” this Vacation Bible School and share Jesus with kids in the neighborhood of this church.  They really stepped up to the plate and surprised all of us (adults).  I was and am so incredibly proud of them and know their missions hearts will only get bigger from here on!

The 5th Grade Mission Trip participants and leaders

Towards the end of the year, I started helping out with Brentwood's Wednesday night children’s program.  I’m helping in the 2^nd grade class.  It’s really fun to have some diversity in age groups each week and I am excited to get to know all of these precious kiddos as 2016 progresses.

As for my own spiritual development, I joined my own age-range Life Group that meets on Sunday nights.  While I do enjoy and am growing through teaching my own Life Group, I also need to grow spiritually myself and my Sunday evening Bible Study allows me to focus on that.  I enjoy gathering with girls my own age each week and going deeper into the study of the Bible.  This past year I also took part in a 7-week Bible Study focused on young, single women being mentored by older, married ladies.  Not only were we spiritually fed, but we were physically fed and loved on as well.  This study was such a blessing and these ladies really ministered to my heart and made me feel so loved.

My mentorship group called Blossoms; I'm at the back right

I will officially become a member of Brentwood in February of 2016 (the church has a pretty thorough membership process…which is actually a good thing) and I am really excited to be a part of this fellowship!

NEW OPPORTUNITIES

I’ve had a number of new opportunities to be involved in this year outside of work and church.  The first is with the Tennessee Baptist Convention WMU.  Each year the TBC WMU puts together a children’s missions conference and the while I’ve worked location-wise with them for this conference before, I’d never taught at the conference or anything like that.  This year, my TBC contact, after knowing I’d moved to the area, asked if I would teach at these conferences (3 conferences in 3 different parts of the state) and also if I’d help develop some activities for the missions fairs.  Of course I was THRILLED to do so!  It was fun coming up with activities for the fair and I had the time of my life travelling across Tennessee over the course of 3 weekends in October teaching kids about missions.  It affirmed for me my heart's passion – children & missions!

Teaching missions to kids at the Middle TN JAM Children's Missions Conference

The other opportunity I have had the blessing of being a part of, recently, is the children’s program for the downtown Nashville Christian Women’s Job Corp (CWJC).  Women come to CWJC to work on getting their GEDs and so they go through tutoring and the like.  Many women bring their children, but the children’s program is one of the areas that gets overlooked volunteer-wise.  Right now I volunteer two times a week and help out with crowd-control, homework, and Bible teaching.  These kids are so precious and I love getting to know them.  Some of these kids have not even heard the stories of Jesus before so it’s never far from my mind that these times with them may be the only Jesus they see each week.

I've even had opportunities to travel.  I traveled to new places across TN for the children's missions conference, I visited my mom's family in Louisville quite a few times this year, and I even got to travel with my good friend Bethany to The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary to attend their Fall Festival which was Adventures in Odyssey themed!  Adventures in Odyssey, a Christian radio drama produced by Focus on the Family, is my favorite radio program and has been since I was a child.  The Seminary literally brought this fictional town to life and they even flew in 3 of the actors who play main characters on the program to have a live Odyssey program!  It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience and it was literally a dream to actually watch these actors voice these characters I have listened to since I was eight years old.

I finally made it to the town of Odyssey!
Below is myself with (L-R), Andre Stojka who plays John Avery Whittiker, Katie Leigh who plays Connie Kendall, Phil Lollar who is a co-creator and has played various characters, and Will Ryan who plays Eugene Meltsner.

NEW CITY

Living in Nashville is definitely different than living in Morristown!  The traffic took a bit of getting used to, and some days the traffic patience wears a little thin, but for the most part I like living in the city!  There is so much that goes on in Nashville – from Opryland to Downtown to historic Franklin – there’s always something to do.  This year I’ve gotten to do fun things in many of those parts of Nashville – I saw an American Idol sing/be filmed downtown before the finale show, I met Christian singers Sandy Patti, Jaci Velasquez, and songwriter Keith Getty at various concerts I attended, and of course I’ve shopped ‘til I dropped at the Opry Mills Outlet Mall!  (And no, I haven’t seen anyone “famous” yet out and about in town).

Me and the Downtown Nashville Skyline

I moved into my first apartment in March which was exciting and different for me.  You sure do learn many life lessons when living on your own!!  :)  If you know me, you know I’m not the greatest cook, and this has proved true still to this day…I’ve had some kitchen mishaps (nothing catastrophic, but still)!  It has also been different for me to keep up with things like bills and the like.  Not saying it has been hard, but it’s just been a new adjustment for me.  Thankful though to have my parents and close friends to offer advice and help when those adjustments don’t make a lot of sense.

NEW CHALLENGES

Apart from living on my own, I have had some challenges this year – homesickness and heartache, among others.  I have and continue to miss my family so incredibly much.  We were a complete family unit for a good 25-26 years of my life and within the past year we’ve all moved to separate areas of the South.  Thankfully we had the blessing of getting to spend some time together this year – Chattanooga in March, Orlando in early August, and most recently Christmas at home – but those times aren’t ever enough.  I know that Nashville is where God has called me and I know the areas where my sisters and parents live is where God has placed them for such a time as this, but it doesn’t lessen the fact that I miss them every single day.  I’m so thankful for texting and Facetime, however, which afford me the opportunity to speak to everyone at the push of a button – thank goodness for technology!!!  

From our 2015 Young Family Summer Vacation

There have been other challenges and heartache as well, and those times have been quite emotional for me.  While this isn’t the time or place to go into any of it, I will say that the heartache I have felt has been unlike anything I’ve ever gone through before and I’ve had a hard time going through it without my family being physically here with me in Nashville; I'm thankful, though, for close friends here in Nashville who have helped walk me through these tough times.  Ultimately, however, through all these challenges, I’ve felt the loving arms of the Father reach down and wrap me in his everlasting arms letting me know that He’s got my back and He is all I need (Deut. 33:27a).  And for that I’m thankful.

NEW REQUESTS

I appreciate your prayers for me in the upcoming year as I continue to adjust to living here in Nashville.  Pray for me as I begin a new year of publications and opportunities at work; pray that Christ would be glorified in it all.  Pray for me as I lead my 5^th graders and as I continue to be involved in church and other ministry opportunities.  Pray for me to make wise decisions as I live life on my own and that God would keep me safe.  Finally pray for me as I continue to struggle with homesickness and other emotions; pray I will continually be reminded that God is always there for me.

NEW CHAPTER

Beginning this new chapter in my life has been a whirlwind!  There have been good times and not-so-good times.  There have been gigantic smiles, moments where I go “Is this really my life?!”, heartache, and there have been tears.  I think all of that happens when you first fly out of the nest and figure out life on your own.  I wish I could sit here and say this year has been a cinch, but it hasn’t.  Leaving home and all that you've known, moving to a new place, and beginning a new life isn’t for the faint of heart.  I will say it helps to have a support system; and for the most part, through family and close coworkers and friends, I have had that.  This new chapter would’ve been a whole lot bumpier without them!  

I don’t regret this new chapter, however, because I am living my dream and also because I have grown in my walk with Christ by leaps and bounds.  He is the author of my story and has never made that more evident to me than this past year.  The opportunities and experiences He has given me have left me awestruck (Psalm 37:4); the challenges and heartache I’ve felt have let me know He is omnipresent and that I need to give all of my cares to Him (Psalm 55:22, 1 Peter 5:7).  As this new chapter continues to be written, I’m anxious and excited to see what new things God has in store for me as 2016 begins.

THE WORD OF THE YEAR

Since I started these “year in retrospect” posts, I have encapsulated each year with a word.  Previously they have been words like peace, trust, blessed, and so on.  This year my word is “NEW.”  If you look at each heading above, you’ll see that this word is used for each category of this year’s retrospect post.  I think the word “new” most definitely speaks to this past year as pretty much everything in my life was new.  

Isaiah 43:19 talks about how God is doing new things in our life and to look towards those new things.  I have most definitely lived out this verse this year!  However, I think a better verse that encapsulates the word “new” as it relates to me this year is Lamentations 3:22-23.  I keep this verse on my desk in a place where I can see it daily and it says, “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.”  I’m so thankful that God’s mercies are new every morning because that means if we are homesick, struggling, or just having a no-good-bad day, that the very next morning He will have a new promise or blessing or kind act waiting for us.  It may be huge, it may be small, but His love will never end and He will be with us in all the experiences and situations in life – whether they be new or old, recurring or once-in-a-lifetime, long or short, easy or hard.

I pray that as I say goodbye to 2015, a year of new and unforgettable memories, I will always remember how God carried me through each moment and reminded me daily of His love and provision for me.  I pray that I will never doubt His plans and that I will continually trust Him at all times.  This year, God’s mercies didn’t come to an end – just as He promised, each day afforded a new one – and I look forward to 2016 as His mercies begin anew.

The Cross at Christmas

“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us…out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given” (John 1:14a, 16)

Quite a number of years ago I invited a friend to a Christmas program put on by the church I was attending at that time.  As with many church Christmas programs, the presentation featured the entire story of Jesus – from the manger to the cross to the resurrection.  I knew my friend had attended the program and the following week asked her what she thought of it.  Her reply, “Well, I thought the music and everything was great, but I just don’t understand why we have to see all the cross stuff.  That’s what is celebrated at Easter, not Christmas!”  What a statement...and one that I know she's not alone in voicing at this time of year.

When we attend community Christmas programs, get Christmas cards, or display figurines during the holiday season, we see images of or resembling the nativity – Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus, angels, shepherds, wisemen, and maybe a sheep here or there.  Rarely, if ever, are images of the crucifixion prominently displayed.  Our music around this time of the year also centers around baby Jesus and those individuals who were a part of that First Christmas.  While some carols do discuss Jesus in his later years, many times those verses are skipped for time or for the simple fact that they don’t relate to this “season.”  

The fact that Jesus’ later life is overlooked for many during this time of year is an utter shame because without the things he accomplished and did during his later years, He wouldn’t be who we celebrate Him to be at this time of year – our Savior, Christ the Lord.

Crucifixion scene at the recent 2015 Sevier Heights Baptist Church Christmas Program

We sing that “Christ the Savior is born,” but had He saved anyone at the time of his birth?  No.  Yes, Christ had come to earth, but it wasn’t until 33 years later as He died upon the cross did He really and truly become our Savior.  When He died, He took with Him the punishment of all of our sins, “‘He Himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; ‘by his wounds you have been healed.’” (1 Peter 2:24)  At the moment He cried “It is finished,” and breathed His last breath, He became the Savior of the world.  Jesus’ purpose for coming to earth as a baby those 33 years prior had now been fulfilled.  God so loved the world…past, present, and future…that He freely sacrificed His Son, Jesus, so that anyone who believes and trusts in His Son’s name would have never-ending life in heaven with Him (John 3:16, paraphrased).

Now I know that thinking about image of the cross, as it carries with it the horrors and violence that Jesus endured during his crucifixion, is hard, especially during this time of year.  The Christmas season is for the most part a very happy and joyous season and we are urged to spread “tidings of comfort and joy” to others.  I wholeheartedly believe this and I’m not discounting this at all.  Yes, we need to show love to others this year.  Yes, we should give gifts to others to remind us of God’s gift to us.  Yes, we should sing and rejoice about this little baby born in Bethlehem.  With all of that, however, it is vitally important for us also to remember the cross and Jesus’ sacrifice for us in order to be truly and fully aware of how important this time of year is for us as followers of Christ. 

If Jesus hadn’t come to earth as a baby to grow and be the man who died on the cross for our sins, He wouldn’t be the Savior we celebrate Him to be at this time of year.  Without His sacrifice, we wouldn’t know the true meanings of love, sacrifice, mercy, grace, service, forgiveness, and the list of characteristics could go on and on and on. 

At Christmas, as believers in Christ, we should be ever aware what John began his gospel proclaiming, “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us…out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given” (John 1:14a, 16).  And as we reflect on His sacrifice, we can rejoice and celebrate the fact that He did not stay dead.  He arose!  This baby, wrapped in swaddling clothes at His birth, and as a man wrapped in grave clothes at His death, conquered the grave and now lives!  Now THAT is reason to sing “joy to the world!”

It’s somewhat unconventional (and uncomfortable) to think about the cross at Christmas, but it’s important because it helps us to remember, appreciate, and rejoice at the life, death, and resurrection, not just the birth, of this baby who changed everything just for you and me.

Take time this Christmas to reflect on the cross...it's how we remember the reason for the season.

Six Month Nashville Update

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
- Deuteronomy 31:6

This month marks 6 months since my move to Nashville.  In one way these 6 months have seemed like a whirlwind; but in another way it seems like I’ve been gone from Morristown forever.  My new life in Nashville is everything I ever imagined, but never thought possible – dream job at the Executive Committee of the Southern Baptist Convention, amazing coworkers, terrific church that I was immediately able to jump in and get involved, a “real life” position at the SBC annual meetings, a wonderful place to live – I am just in awe of God’s amazing orchestration of this journey so far.   I find myself shaking my head at points in just utter disbelief that this is my life.  If I could hashtag different experiences I’ve had since I have been in Nashville it would look like this - #IsThisMyLife?!??!?!??! 

With all these great things that have happened over the past 6 months, it’s crazy to think about my frame of mind 7 months ago.  While many of you did see me 7 months ago (December 2014), you probably didn’t realize that I was in one of the toughest mental battles I’ve ever gone through.  My level of courage was in the negative percentage, I had no confidence in myself whatsoever, the realization of leaving my friends and family was more real that it had ever been before, and I was an emotional mess.  I had been literally handed this amazing opportunity without even asking for it and here I was undergoing a complete and total meltdown.  It was ridiculous and the devil was having a field day with me.  In my heart I knew that this was the right path for me; God’s hand was in so many of the intricate details of this story that it was evident this was His plan for me.  However, my head logic was begging…literally screaming at me…to stay in the confines of my comfort zone, which I must admit did look appealing.  My dream had finally become reality and was staring me straight in the face…but I was entirely petrified to step outside of my comfortable life and enter into a new one.

I am not a “fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants” kind of girl.  I’m not a risk-taker, you won’t find me on a rollercoaster, and I hate the unknown.  Accepting this new life involved all of the above and I honestly didn’t know whether to say yes or no.  That sounds so silly now because of course the answer was “yes” – it was a question I had always wanted to be asked.  Why would you say “no” to a question you’d always dreamed of hearing?!  Nonetheless – I was faced with this decision and needed to find the courage and confidence in myself to make it, regardless of the answer.  So what did I do?  I prayed like I have never prayed before, sought Scripture that I felt God had written with me in mind, and talked with my family and close friends to get their guidance and advice. 

Holley Gerth is my absolute favorite Christian author because she writes as if she personally knows the readers and what they are going through.  While I had started her book, “You’re Made for a God-Sized Dream” before this whole job thing came about; I ended up finishing the book during the time I needed to make this decision.  God knew I needed to hear what Holley wrote and that’s why I believe he had me wait to finish the book until this time.  I want to focus on a few of her topics, as it relates to this situation, in further blog posts, but for now let me share a short passage that spoke volumes to me.  She writes…

“The God of the universe has chosen you as his ambassador, his partner, his way of sharing his light with the world.  You may not feel qualified.  You may not feel ready.  You may not think you can do what he asks.  Listen my friend: you are all you need to be to do all he’s called you to do.  ‘It’s not about you’ can be hard words to hear, but in this context they can also bring a profound sense of relief.  You do not have to be superwoman to make God’s plans happen in your life.  Because it’s ultimately about him, and your role is simply to let his light flow through you.  You’re the vessel – He’s the source.”

“Be strong and courageous.  Do not be afraid or terrified, for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave nor forsake you.”  When Moses spoke these words to the people of Israel in Deuteronomy 31:6, he was telling them this because they would be going into uncharted territory without him.  They were heading into an unknown future away from their home and the one who had helped them through the tough times before (Egyptian captivity, wandering in the wilderness, etc.) wasn’t coming with them.  They were far out of their comfort zone and had to be scurrred (that’s East TN talk for “scared”).  In fact, both Moses and God had to remind the people of Israel and the new leader, Joshua, more than once to be strong and have courage.  The Israelites obeyed and because they were willing to step out of their comfort zone, they eventually enter the Promised Land…a place that the Jewish people still live to this very day.  I identify so perfectly with this story – Nashville isn’t necessarily the Promised Land (ha ha), but it’s the uncharted territory to where God has led me and I know that He is going to use me in extraordinary ways for His purpose and glory.  There are definitely points of time where I get scurred and homesick, but it’s then that I hear God speak Deuteronomy 31:6 to my heart and His strength and courage begin to fill my heart to keep on keeping on.

Holley was right.  There are times I don’t feel qualified.  Situations come up where I don’t feel ready.  Sometimes I still don’t think I can do all that He asks. But my comfort zone isn’t where God wants me.  He created me to be a light for Him and, like Jesus said, “no one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket” (Matthew 5:14).  His light, through my life, has to shine and Nashville is where He has guided me to light up the sky.  

Father - continue to give me courage, stay by my side, draw me closer to the Throne, and let me shine so that those I interact with through where I live, work, and serve can see YOU through me.

New Beginnings

"For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper and not harm you, plans to give you a future and hope." - Jeremiah 29:11

 

Tomorrow is a momentous day.  Tomorrow life changes.  As I stand at the tail end of a beautiful 9 year chapter of my life, I reflect on sweet friends I have made, amazing experiences I’ve been a part of, and memories upon memories to last a lifetime.  Corrie Ten Boom said, “Every experience God gives us is the perfect preparation for the future that only He can see.”  I most definitely believe that.  God has blessed me immensely these past 9 years and tomorrow He blesses me with a new beginning as He picks up His pen and begins to write this new chapter in the story of my life.

New beginnings can be very exciting as they mean new and exciting experiences and opportunities.  New beginnings can also be a little scary, though, as you face a future where you are unsure of how things will happen.  No matter what your feelings about new beginnings may be, there is one constant – God the Father.  He stands with you to face your new beginning and there’s only one thing He asks for in return…trust. 

Let me stop here and say, when Proverbs said to “trust in the Lord with all your heart,” it meant ALL.  Every single bit.  If you don’t give God every minuscule of trust you have, you are going to be miserable about your new beginning (believe me, I speak from personal experience).  However when you give control of your whole life and future to God and trust Him with all of it – He will take your fears and cover them (and in Waffle House terms…smother them) with an overwhelming peace.  Isaiah 26:3 says, “You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.”  Peace in the midst of uncertainty is a strange feeling but it’s then that you know you’re right where God wants you to be and that your new beginning is in the best possible hands.  Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper and not harm you, plans to give you a future and hope.”  What a sweet promise we can take with us into a new beginning as we are promised by our Father that His plans are for our good. 

I’m in awe (and will probably forever be in awe) at how God has orchestrated this new opportunity for me in Nashville.  To take the dream of my heart – to work for the Southern Baptist Convention – and turn it into reality without me even pursuing it is literally unbelievable.  In an excerpt from this blog circa June 16, 2011, I said: “I love the Southern Baptist Convention...I love being a Southern Baptist, I love what the SBC stands for, & I love being able to work for the people who are the face of Southern Baptists.  If I could be a life-long page or a life-long convention worker, I would do it in a heart-beat.  Who knows, maybe I can?!?”  Providential, huh?

God says in Isaiah 43:19, “Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth…”  I’ve heard and read that verse over and over, but tomorrow I live it.  It’s crazy, it’s scary, and it’s a huge big step…but I’m at peace and ready to trust God with this new beginning and step out in faith to see where He takes me.

Francesca Battestelli’s “Write Your Story” says what my heart sings right at this moment, “I’m an empty page, I’m an open book, write Your story on my heart, go on and make your mark.  Author of my hope, Maker of the stars let me be Your work of art, won’t You write Your story on my heart.”  

His pen is ready and now it's time to start this new chapter...