Out of my comfort zone, into HIS will…

Let me begin by apologizing… if you’re a friend or a family member I haven’t talked to lately and you’re finding out all this news on my blog- I’m so sorry! This has all happened pretty quickly– there’s such an urgency in my heart and in AIM to begin working towards our vision that there just hasn’t been time to contact everyone I’d like to. So, I’m sorry for this not being more personal, but at the same time I’m SO glad you’ve found my blog! Now, on to the latest…

I drove away from Auburn on August 31st- the Friday afternoon before the first game of the season. I didn’t realize what a bad idea that was, until the day arrived. I cried most of the day packing, realizing it was the last day I would really call Auburn “home”. Then I drove OUT of Auburn while everyone else drove IN wearing their orange and blue, flying their AU flags, ready for football season!

I cried most of the way to Georgia.

The loneliness enveloped me as I drove, realizing I was leaving behind so many friends, a wonderful community, great campus ministry, dear church family, many favorite places, and everything familiar. I was going from my home, where I was known and loved and cared for, to a new place I’d only visited once! AND, I was going ALL ALONE! What was I thinking?!

Needless to say, Friday night was a rough night.

I started work in Gainesville, GA with AIM the next morning. I drove alone to an office I’d visited once, and walked in to see around 100 unfamiliar faces. It should have been terrifying. I would have been totally justified if I felt like crying.

… but I didn’t.

Immediately, I was at peace. “This is where I’m supposed to be” I thought, and I knew it with everything in me.

This doesn’t feel like home yet, far from it, as I’m still working out details on a place to live and complete moving plans. For now I’m living with my incredible Aunt and Uncle who have so graciously opened their home to me, and it’s wonderful! I respect and admire them so much– they’ve been huge influences on my life, especially spiritually, so it’s such a blessing so get to live with them for a while.

I’m not quite at home in the office yet, but we’re working on it! Slowly I’m learning everyone’s names, meeting new staff, World Racers, and other missionaries, and learning my way around. Everyone here is amazing- so many willing hearts, so much truth being poured out, and so many people who sincerely care about each other! What an awesome working environment!

I don’t quite have a community yet, but I’m building relationships here, and PRAISE JESUS God has blessed me with some awesome girls I’m getting to know! He’s also showing me He has a sense of humor, because the co-worker I’ve gotten closest to is – you guessed it- a University of Alabama graduate! We’re told to “love our enemies”… right? HA!

I’m definitely out of my comfort zone, but there is so much FREEDOM in knowing I’m in the center of His will!

God has given me HIS peace in the midst of my unknown, and He has given me the desires of my heart with this job. As the Development Coordinator for AIM I’ll do a lot of different things- PR/promo for AIM and some of it’s programs like The World Race, working with donors, and developing/helping programs and ministry we’re already a part of… but the thing I’m most excited about is working to directly help the orphans I fell in love with in Swaziland (and orphans in Kenya and India) that so desperately need to be rescued from their situations.

God has blessed me with so much passion for this cause, and a calling to give all of myself to be His hands and feet to these beautiful children. I’m so thankful He chose me!

Now my greatest need is people who God is calling to serve with me. I crave your prayers, and I know God is calling some of you to be prayer warriors for me. If you feel this calling, please contact me! I also need your support financially- because AIM is a mission organization which requires us to raise our own salary. I know God is raising up providers for me financially who believe in the calling God is placed on my life, and who want to be a part of this ministry! If that is your heart, will you please join me? Just click “Support Me!“, or contact me for more information.

In the midst of so much that is changing, and so many unknowns, God continues to strip me of control. It’s hard, but it’s so good, because I am learning everyday to lean fully on Him! He is the one who will never leave or forsake me, He is my sustainer, He is raising up people to support me, He is raising up people to pray for me, He is casting vision over me! Praise God that He knows my future, and He is directing my steps! It’s not always easy, but I am fighting to rest in that truth!

I praise Him that He is leading me as I take another step out of my comfort zone and into His will!