2016 in Retrospect

“Let your roots grow down {deeper} into Him, and let your lives be built on Him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.” - Colossians 2:7

It's been about 365 days since I last made a blog post similar to this, which must mean that a new year is upon us! At the end of each year, it always does my heart good to take time to stop and reflect about the year that is ending and look forward to the one that is coming. 2016 was a year of so many different experiences, opportunities, and challenges. Looking back, though, I wouldn't trade them – even if at the time I may have wanted to – because they have grown me deeper in my relationship and walk with the Father. So, as I take a few minutes to look back, I hope you will rejoice with me at what God has done and pray for me at what He will do as 2017 dawns in just a few short days.

Work

Now that I am coming up on 2 years in, everyone asks me how I like my job. The answer? I wholeheartedly, absolutely, positively, without question, LOVE it! You wouldn't even need to ask me. You could ask any of my coworkers at the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) Executive Committee and they would know how to respond....because they think I'm a little crazy (maybe even obsessed) about it...ha ha! I accept that. Truly I love going to work every day because of the blessings and opportunities that abound there. To be a part of Kingdom-building work, see things first-hand, and to be a part of planning some parts of the denomination that I was born and raised into is literally my dream come true and so humbling.

The biggest part of my job centers around the Annual Meeting of the SBC. If you're not familiar with it, this is an event where pastors, church leaders, and more come together to conduct the business of the denomination as well as worship as a body the Savior who unites us. Each year the meeting is in a different US city and so this year we traveled to St. Louis, Missouri. I am responsible for the publications that are a part of this meeting and so I spend half of the year compiling, coordinating, and putting together the items that make up these publications. These items come from all of our various organizations (mission boards, seminaries, etc.) – located all over the US – that make up this denomination and so it's a lot of organizing and keeping track of things. There is one publication that I work on while at the Annual Meeting and it's one that has to happen fast and accurately – think of it like a newspaper where things are dependent on what occurs earlier in the day. It may sound overwhelming, and it is, but it's still fun. At the annual meeting, I am also the Page Coordinator and I make sure all the pages are where they need to be when they need to be there. (Pages are volunteers who assist at microphones during business sessions.) I still have many of the same duties I had when I was a page and I actually prefer it that way because #1) I love it and #2) it is such a reminder of God's faithfulness in bringing me to the SBC Executive Committee.

An Executive Committee Meeting at our SBC headquarters in Nashville

This year I have also had the opportunity to also work on various other projects for my department as well as the Executive Committee President – Dr. Frank Page. I’ve enjoyed creating and researching, it adds a little more flavor to the job! Although I said the exact same thing last year, my coworkers make my job all the richer and it’s such a joy to share these experiences with people who think the same way I think and love the things that I love. I’m literally living my dream by being here and I can’t thank God enough for it!

Ministry

There have been new opportunities for ministry over this past year. The biggest opportunity has been with Christian Women's Job Corps of Middle TN – now called Begin Anew. In last year’s retrospect, I mentioned that I was volunteering with the CWJC childcare program towards the end of 2015. At the beginning of this year, however, I was approached with making this volunteer position an actual employment (part-time, two nights a week) position. This was something I did not see coming and I was so humbled that I would be considered for the opportunity. Since January, I have been the coordinator for the childcare program at the Downtown Nashville CWJC (Begin Anew) site. I am responsible for the children, childcare workers, and also for the programming. While these children's mothers are being tutored to pass their GED tests, I am making sure their children are getting homework help, playing a game, making a craft, and hearing about the Savior who loves them. It's the perfect use of my undergrad degree in elementary education and my passion to reach children who need to know that Jesus loves them. My favorite moments of this ministry are the sweet smiles and hugs I get each night and also the engaging conversations I have with these children about God and Jesus. I won't lie, though, and say this has been an easy position – there have been intense challenges and spiritual warfare wrapped in this position as well. I constantly and consistently have to remind myself that these children did not grow up the way I did or even the way many church kids do now. This means cursing and physical fights happen sometimes, tantrums get thrown just about each night, the race card gets tossed around more often than not, and older children, especially, laugh in my face because I believe in a God I can't see. Some nights I've been able to hold it together and other nights that has been easier said than done. It's in those difficult moments, however, that I hear the words of Jesus remind me that I am His light (Matthew 5:16) and I am here to shine it bright, even in the midst of complete darkness. Although it is hard sometimes, I'm thankful for this opportunity and for each and every child that I get to interact with and love on.

My Begin Anew kids

Additionally, I have been a part of a few children's events with the TN Baptist Convention in which I've traveled around the state of TN teaching about missions – which does my children’s missions leader heart good. One of these events was JAM (Journey Across Missions) which is basically a missions conference for kids and the other was a weekend, Christmas day-camp at one of the state Baptist retreat centers. These were so much fun and I enjoyed teaching the kids about missions.

JAM Missions Conference

Church

In February of this year, I officially became a member of Brentwood Baptist Church. What a joy it is to be a part of this congregation and watch the church continue to flourish and grow through multiple campuses and missions work. I have been heavily involved over the past year with the Children's Ministry at the main campus. As I mentioned last year, I am the director of the 5th Grade 9:30 Life Group. Because it is the biggest Life Group hour and because 5th grade is where all the three separate graded classes combine, this class averages about 40-50 kids per week. It does seem like a lot, but with my incredible team, we have a good system of managing and teaching this big group. I'm always intrigued by the questions that come up in my Sunday School class – makes my seminary degree come into play quite a bit!

I also continued working in the kids program on Wednesday nights – helping out in the 2nd grade class; and yes, I most definitely notice the age difference on Sundays versus Wednesdays! There have also been opportunities to be involved in other Children's Ministry events, the most recent being a Journey Through Bethlehem event where we dressed up in Biblical costume and walked parents and children through the story of the birth of Jesus. It was a lot of fun and I love how my church values the spiritual growth of children and provides innovative ways for them to learn about Jesus.

It may sound like I do a lot with kids ... and I do ... but I also make time, spiritually, for my own walk with God in a community of those my own age. I attend a wonderful Bible Study each Sunday evening and we have a great time learning from the Lord, as well as from one another. I recently hosted a Pumpkin Painting Party for my Bible Study group and we had a great time hanging out and having fun. I'm thankful for these friends who pray and encourage me each week.

Family

My family has gone through transition and change this year. At the beginning of the year, my grandfather (my mom's dad) passed away from complications from Alzheimer’s. He went down pretty fast at the end of 2015 and so we had a feeling it was going to happen at some point this year. God was so good and allowed me to see him about two weeks before he passed and I'm so glad I got that special moment with him. His funeral was fit exactly for him and, as a veteran, he got a military burial with the folding of the flag and 21 gun salute. I had never been to a service like that before and so it was quite different, but certainly memorable and emotional. I miss my Papaw, but am thankful he has been restored to full health and memory…and because of Jesus, I will see him again one day!

The second transition happened with my parents. In the late half of the year, my dad got a job in Enterprise, Alabama. He is now the Church Administrator for the First Baptist Church there. After 11 years in Morristown, TN, God called him and my mom to this new location where they fit in perfectly. God couldn't have provided a better place for my dad to be. The church is growing so fast and so much that my dad's organizational skills are coming into play quite a bit. I had the opportunity to go when he was presented in view of a call and I was so impressed by the welcoming and warm body of believers. I know God is going to do some amazing things in my parents’ lives through FBC Enterprise and I look forward to seeing what those will be!

My sisters are doing well and staying busy. Meredith became a senior auditor at her accounting firm this year, and Lauren is in the final preparation stages for graduation from Liberty University next year.

As a family, our time together is few and far between. We had the opportunity to gather together for a few extended periods this past year – my grandparents’ house in KY, summer vacation in Atlanta, and the recent holiday gatherings – but we definitely don't see each other all together like we used to due to distance. Next year it may be even fewer due to the distance my parents will be. I am 6 hours from Enterprise so weekend trips may not be doable like they had been when I was traveling to Morristown. If there's one thing I've learned from my parents, however, it is that following the will and way of God is far better and fulfilling than following our own will and way, so I trust and know that God will fill my heart with His blessings in those moments that I am missing my family. I will say, however, thank you God for the person who invented FaceTime ... not quite sure how I'd go extended periods of time without seeing my family!

Home

One of the biggest events that happened to me this year was that I bought my first home! Last year I did the apartment thing, but decided that this year I was ready to make the leap! Thankfully my time living with my parents in Morristown had given me the opportunity to save for this purchase – it would've been honestly impossible without them...so thanks mom and dad! 

It was exciting...and stressful at times...to look at homes and imagine what I would do with the space. I had an amazing realtor, though, who treated me like one of his daughters and made sure I was in a safe location and getting a good deal. After about 2 months of looking, he came across a condo in a neighborhood that I had really wanted to be in, but that was really hard to get into. I went at lunch one day, walked in the first two rooms nearest the front door and immediately told my realtor that I wanted to make an offer. At first he said that we would begin the paperwork when we both got back to our respective offices, but a few minutes later asked if I'd be willing to make an offer right then. I'm so glad I said yes, because as I was signing the official papers, in walked another buyer who was ready to purchase it! I'd already signed my name, though, so it was mine!

I absolutely love my home and can't believe I live there. It suits me perfectly and I've had a blast making it my own by adding furniture and decoration. My sweet coworkers even threw me a surprise housewarming party earlier in the year and provided me items that fit so beautifully in my home!  One of my parents Christmas presents to me was helping me hang pictures on my wall. These pictures are scripture and quotes that are meaningful to me and honestly have made my home feel complete and officially mine.

I love living in Nashville (minus the crazy traffic days) and, with the addition of my beautiful home this year, I feel like I officially can call Nashville, TN my home.

Challenges

Emotions have been raw this year and stem from experiences of 2015 which included major life change, homesickness, hurt, and loss.  Sometimes my feelings would manifest in tears and sometimes they would manifest in anxiety attacks. I had the opportunity this year, though, to talk to a Christian counselor at my church who helped me walk through my feelings and come to a place of peace. I don't share this with you lightly. I haven't shared this with many people because of the thought that maybe people will think I can’t handle life’s challenges or that I’m weak. But you know what, I feel so led to share this with you, my dear blog readers, because it was one of the best decisions I made for myself. Seeing and talking through your feelings with a counselor or someone you trust (who is not necessarily your family) is nothing to be ashamed or embarrassed about. They can help you recognize your triggers, listen to you, and also give pointers on how to combat those crazy emotions that come at the most inopportune times. One of my favorite pointers was one that I came up with through the help of my counselor – it’s called the Philippians 4:8 technique. How it works is that when things come up that cause me to feel down or anxiety-filled, I simply recite Philippians 4:8 and do exactly what it says, “Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.” When I start to think of all the things in my life and around me that meet these qualities, my mind and heart calm down and I begin to feel so much better. It’s really a great technique and I recommend it! My favorite parts of the counseling sessions were the last 2-3 minutes where my counselor prayed over me. To have someone pray over you and to actually hear them do it is such a moving and humbling experience. I’m in such a stronger place because of these sessions and I’m grateful I didn’t listen to the enemy telling me that I was weak for doing it.

Prayer

I have so appreciated your prayers for me and my family over this past year – please continue them! For my family, pray especially for my parents’ house to sell so that they can be together in Alabama. Right now my mom is still in Morristown, TN until this happens. Pray also for their ministry in Enterprise and that God will be honored through it.

As for me, pray for God’s continued guidance at my job with the SBC. My busy season is the first half of the year where I am preparing, at the same time, three publications for the Annual Meeting in June. Pray that everything will come together expediently and efficiently and that God will bless our time at the Annual Meeting in Phoenix, Arizona this summer. I ask for your prayers also with my job with the CWJC Begin Anew childcare program. Pray that God will give me wisdom and patience as I interact with these children. Pray that God will give me the words to say when they ask questions about Him and that they will come to a saving knowledge of Jesus. Lastly, pray for me in the coming year that my heart will continue to have peace and also that God's blessings will continue to abound in my life.

 
Word of the Year

If you’ve followed my retrospect blogs over the past years, you know that I like to close each retrospect by summing up the year in one word. This year my word of the year is … “DEEPER”. Over the course of 2016, I have grown so much deeper in my walk with the Lord, in my job, in my ministry, and in understanding myself more than ever before. Colossians 2:7 says, “Let your roots grow down {deeper} into Him, and let your lives be built on Him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.” As I read this, I can’t help but smile because I see my 2016 year wrapped up in every word of this verse. Instead of uprooting when the challenges arose, I dug deeper into my faith and the truth that I have been taught these past 29 years of my life…and you know what? Not only am I overflowing with thankfulness, but I am also a stronger and more mature Christian because of it! 

It’s ironic that my word of the year is “deeper” because I have spent most of my time writing this blog on a Florida beach in front of the deep, seemingly never-ending ocean. Every time I hear the waves crash on the shore, I think about the song “Oceans” and the stanza that says, “Your grace abounds in deepest waters. Your sovereign hand will be my guide. Where feet may fail and fear surround me, you’ve never failed and you won’t start now. And I will call upon your name, and keep my eyes upon the waves, when oceans rise, my soul will rest in your embrace for I am Yours and You are mine.” It’s such a peaceful feeling to know that even though oceans will rise in my life, I have the hand of the Father to walk with me and guide me through them and onto the shore. This view is also an amazing reminder of God’s faithfulness in leading and guiding me through this year because the same magnificence He has shown in my life is the same magnificence radiating from the crashing of the waves to the sunshine reflecting across the water.

Blogging on the beach

As the new year begins, I pray that I will continue to walk in the will and way of the Lord and grow even deeper in Him than I have this year. I know there will be blessings. I know there will be challenges. But as 2017 dawns, I carry with me Psalm 37:4 in which the psalmist says, “Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.” Delighting in Him is what I plan on doing. He is good. He is faithful. He is true. 2016 has taught me that. 2017, now it’s your turn.

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.

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.

2014 in Retrospect

 “Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill His promises to her.”
– Luke 1:45

It’s the last day of 2014.  365 days ago I looked upon this new year with a prayer for peace (see last year’s retrospect blog post).  Peace of heart, peace of mind, and just peace in life.  365 days ago there were uncertainties I was facing and I needed God's peace to guide me through them; I knew God would act and that He would provide, but I didn’t have any idea of when.  I knew God’s promises, I petitioned to Him to hear the desires of my heart, and I waited patiently.  One day this year while I was on Pinterest, I found and pinned a scripture from Luke 1:45.  It said, “Blessed is she who has believed the Lord would fulfill His promises to her.”  While Elizabeth is speaking of Mary and her belief in the Lord to care for her as the mother of His Son, I saw myself in this short little verse and decided then and there to never forget it.  A friend even printed the verse and put it in a frame and gave to me for my birthday.  It was like God wrote the verse for me!  “Believe (and trust) in me Allison, I will fulfill all of My promises in time and you will be blessed.”  Boy was He right.  Join me in taking a step back into 2014 to see just what God has done…and don’t miss the end because that’s where God unexpectedly acted in a way I never saw coming.

Family Challenges and Changes

CHALLENGES - If you recall, this time last year, my family was faced with uncertainties about my dad’s health.  We found out at the end of 2013 that my dad had an early-stage tumor in his small intestine and would require surgery to remove it.  There was a question as to whether or not he would have to undergo chemo after the surgery and if there were other tumors in his body, but those things wouldn’t be determined until they removed the tumor.  In February of this year, he had the surgery and came through it with FLYING colors!  The surgeon was able to remove the entire tumor, there was no indication of any other tumors or cancer in his body, and the oncologist cleared him from having to do chemo based on the tumor’s pathology report.  Praise God!  We were overwhelmed by the love and prayers shown to us during that time.  Our church family went over and beyond in taking care of us, taking care of things at church, and so on.  I blogged about it in, "God is So Good!"  It was truly a time where we knew God was in control and would take care of all things.  And He did.  I knew God would heal my dad and HE fulfilled that promise to me!

CHANGES – This year two little birdies left the Young nest.  First was my younger sister Meredith.  She graduated in June with her Masters of Accountancy and in September moved to Atlanta to begin her first full-time job.  She works for Ernst & Young Accounting Firm.  She joined Johnsons Ferry Baptist Church and is becoming involved there.  It’s been a big change, but she’s adjusting great and learning a lot in the process.  Change also came for my baby sister, Lauren.  After spending the summer as a Girls Club teacher (which she was excellent at, by the way), in the fall, she moved to Lynchburg, Virginia to begin school at Liberty University.  Lauren LOVES it at Liberty.  She has made a trillion friends and has adjusted to life away from home better than anyone else I know.  Was there ever a doubt? :) Now that they have made these big changes, I look forward to seeing what God accomplishes in both of my sisters’ lives and how He uses their gifts and talents for His Kingdom.

Visiting Meredith in ATL and Lauren at LU

Summer 2014

SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION - I attended and paged, yet again, for the Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting this past summer.  For more information on what exactly a page is, read this 2012 blog post “Serving Him Through the SBC.”  I’ve really lost count on how many annual meetings I have paged for, but it’s either seven or eight.  This year’s meeting was in Baltimore.  I’d never been there before, and it was definitely different, but I really enjoyed my time there.  The paging was a little different this year in that the other pages were seminary students who were doing it as part of a class.  Once again, I was blessed to work with our SBC Recording Secretary and his wife in helping to make copies of and distribute motions to the SBC leadership.  Every year I pretty much pinch myself because I can’t believe I’m doing what I’m doing where I’m doing it.  Although it’s volunteer, I don’t take the job, and the faith these individuals have in me, lightly.  The experience of paging is so humbling and rewarding…the only thing I would change is the ability to wear roller skates or ride one of those Segways because my feet scream at me by the end of the week.  :)  Every summer I look forward to working one week a year for the SBC…little did I know what was coming next (keep reading).

Momentos from the SBC Annual Meeting

HONG KONG FRIEND – Following the SBC annual meeting, a family friend from Hong Kong came and stayed with us for about three weeks this summer.  It was her first time in America and she was visiting different people she knew in different parts of the country.  We enjoyed catching up with her and also teaching her new things (especially American history…Davy Crockett, Dolly Parton, politics, etc.)  Seeing Tennessee and our area through her eyes was so fun because we did things we’d never done and things that we hadn’t done in a long time.  It was a time full of great memories, laughs and culture sharing.  My favorite story is taking her to KFC and listening to her place an order for mashed potatoes…however she called them “potatoes mashed.”  The cashier looked at her oddly and so did I, until I realized what she was trying to say.  We all had a big laugh about it!  When it was time for her to leave to her next destination, she hugged us goodbye with tears in her eyes; it was heart-warming to see truly how much she enjoyed her time here.  

My family with our sweet friend

*And in mentioning Hong Kong, please continue to pray for this city as there is continued unrest between HK citizens and mainland China.  I love my heart city and pray God's blessings to continue reaching the HK people.*

Work

My job at First Baptist Morristown has gone great this year – although part-time, I took on more responsibility with things and was able to accomplish a lot.  A few big projects this year included designing the informational pages for our church business directory, designing and coordinating a shirt/lapel pin campaign to help raise money for persecuted Christians in Iraq, as well as coordinate all screen things for our special event presentations (Night of Praise, Living Christmas Tree, etc).  All of that also combined with my normal duties of bulletin, newsletter, screen announcements, sermon slides, and the list could go on and on until 2016!  Working where I go to church is so rewarding because I get to see the fruits of my labor and watch what I do come to fruition on Sundays or event days.  It's truly a blessing to work where I worship.

While I was still on staff at Megan’s Corner Catering this year, I didn’t work as many events as I have in previous years.  This was mainly due to the fact that so many events happened at times I was working my other job at First Baptist.  The events I was able to work, and sometimes be in charge of, however were VERY fun and beautiful all at the same time!  One of my favorite 2014 memories at Megan’s Corner is the reception I was in charge of for Broadway actress Megan Hilty.  I arrived at the location, ready to set up the food, and all of the sudden heard water running.  It had been raining all day and when I walked into the room where the reception was to be held, saw that the ceiling was leaking heavily!  At one point when I stood underneath the area that was leaking, part of the ceiling collapsed on to the floor.  We grabbed as many trash cans as we could find and stuck them under the running water.  The event went well, but the “preshow excitement” made for a memorable night!  I was also able to update the Megan’s Corner website this year, adding new pictures and menus to make the business stand out even better!  Visit www.megans-corner.com!

Me and Megan Hilty

Ministry

I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again – the ministry of my heart is children’s missions.  In 2014, I saw the Lord accomplish great things through this ministry.  I really enjoyed planning for and teaching missions lessons throughout the year, two of my favorites included teaching about missions and the Winter Olympics in Sochi as well as teaching missions for our Vacation Bible School (which also involved missions challenges that kids participated in at home...it was great to hear their stories).  This year also I watched some kids who have grown up through this “ministry” teach their peers about missions places or people they had learned about.  That was really rewarding because I could see the influence of missions on their lives.  In the middle of the year, I took my summer missions class on their first “mission trip.”  We went to Food on Foot and packed bags for the hungry.  The kids LOVED this and felt very important on their mission trip!  In the fall, I once again helped coordinate the East TN Children’s Missions Conference at the church and we saw 300+ kids come and learn about how missions is possible!  My heart jumps for joy when I hear kids tell me stories about how they are making a difference and sharing Jesus with others.  I’m inspired by those kids who put others before themselves.  My favorite phrase to hear is “Is it Missions Night?” because I know the kids are ready and wanting to hear about missions experiences around the world.  I know God has great things planned for each child that I have had the opportunity to teach about missions and I know that they will change the world for Jesus…HE will fulfill His promises in their lives!

Summer Missions Class Mission Trip to Food on Foot

Media Ministry is also an important ministry in my life at First Baptist.  I enjoy volunteering on Sundays and at special events because I am able to use my gifts and talents in computer/design to help others worship and praise the Lord.  I even got to direct my first solo broadcast this year...it was fun and nerve-wracking all at the same time!  It was neat to be a part of, through the media ministry, the Gospel Music Hymn Sing this past summer.  This was an event that was recorded and our church and that featured current Southern Gospel singers.  The taping is now available for purchase and you can enjoy what I got to experience in person!  And believe me…you DON’T want to miss it!

My view from the director's chair!

Singing is another ministry I enjoy and it has been a blessing this year to continue to use that talent for the Lord and to minister to others.  One particular song, “In the End,” is quite memorable around First Baptist because it was the first song sung here in a while to feature a banjo AND a tambourine.  If you want to see it, click here.  Gosh, that was a fun song to sing!  I also got to be a part backup choir for the Keith & Krysten Getty Christmas Concert in Knoxville this year, along with other members from our choir as well as the University of TN and Carson-Newman University choirs.  This event happened recently and it was definitely a night I will never forget!  It wasn't a Christmas concert, it was a Christmas worship service!

The Unexpected

Ever since I graduated with my undergraduate degree, I have looked, prayed, and waited for a full-time ministry job.  This has been 4 years in the waiting.  There were a couple of times that I have become upset that “THE” job hadn’t come yet, but for the most part I’ve had a sweet peace that God would take care of it and give me the desires of my heart.  Many people feel called to ministry work, but I feel like I was born into ministry work.  It’s never been a burning-bush calling for me because ministry work is all I’ve ever known.  I knew 4 years ago that I wanted to work for the Southern Baptist Convention or one of its entities (Lifeway, WMU, IMB, NAMB).  I also knew that if I was going to get a job with the SBC, it would be an entity because the Convention itself rarely ever has job openings (God must’ve chuckled about this thought).

Near the tail-end of 2014 (meaning three weeks ago) I received a phone call out of the blue from an administrative assistant with the Southern Baptist Convention headquarters.  She said that one of the SBC Vice Presidents had my resume (which I had given to someone else when I paged over the summer) and was interested in talking to me about a position with their office.  Two hours later I had a phone interview and one week after that I was at their headquarters in Nashville for a face-to-face interview.  A week later they offered me the job and I accepted.  Here I had spent 4 years applying to dozens upon dozens of jobs, getting rejection letters or even getting nothing back, and within two weeks near the end of 2014, a job I didn’t even know existed and I didn’t even apply for pops right into my lap.  It’s literally unbelievable and completely unexpected.  There’s no other explanation for this except for God.  Only He can take the dreams of your heart and turn them into reality…and by George, I am a living example.

My new job will be Publications Specialist for the Southern Baptist Convention and I will be coordinating and compiling information to be published for our entire Convention body (which includes all 50 states, Canada, and Puerto Rico).  Many of these publications will be distributed at the annual meetings each year.  The hope is that I will also be a part of helping with screen media for meetings at the headquarters as well as possibly some design work for the SBC website.  They even want me to continue in my duties at the annual meetings that I was a part of as a page…but now will be a part of as a full-time employee.  Again, dream becoming reality. 

My new office building.  My office will be on the top floor!

It’s been a crazy, emotional journey so far and I have been on a roller coaster for most of December.  I plan to spend another blog post or posts discussing all of that, but I wanted to explain a little bit more of the story that many haven’t had the opportunity to hear yet.

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Each year I try to encapsulate the year in one word.  When all of this new job craziness came up, I really didn’t have a clue what my word for this year would be.  Yesterday, however, the word came to me.  Blessed.  In 2014 I have been oh, so blessed - blessed with good health for my dad, blessed with fun memories and experiences over the summer, blessed by sweet kids who love missions, blessed in the church events I have been a part of, blessed by my two jobs with great co-workers, and now blessed by a new full-time job that I never saw coming.  When I stop and think about it, though, I have been blessed more than just this year…I have been blessed all throughout my life, and especially these last 9 ½ years in Morristown.  I’ve been blessed to be a part of and grow in my faith in a church that has truly been like my family.  I’ve been blessed to continue my education here.  I've been blessed to watch little babies grow up to be little kid missionaries.  I’ve even been blessed by the time I have spent with my family here – not just my parents and sister, but also the couple of years my grandfather lived here.  Morristown will always hold a special place in my heart and will always be a blessing to me.

2015 is going to, for sure, be a year of insane changes for me.  A new chapter is beginning and while that is exciting, it also scares the heebie-jeebies out of me.  I’m not a fan of the unknown (and really who is), but I know who holds the unknown and I know who will walk with me through it.  I covet your prayers for me as I move, get acclimated, and start my new life in Nashville.  Specifically I ask that you pray for me to find a permanent place to live, that I find a church to get involved in (‘cause if you know me, you know I can’t sit still at church), and that I adjust well to my new job.  There will also be new things that I will learn this year that I’m not familiar with now – pray that God will give me understanding and wisdom. 

Remember the verse I pinned earlier this year? Luke 1:45 - “Blessed is she who has believed the Lord would fulfill His promises to her.”  I knew that God would hear the desires of my heart and, while it did take a bit of time, He did.  And now I am blessed….blessed beyond measure.  Just like He promised. 

Luke 1:45