The Move. . .

Since so many of you have questions about our move, I figured I'd type up a quick summation of our calling, reasoning, obedience, and excitement. . .for the future we're about to embark upon.

Who:
My husband & I

What:
Feel a calling to move to a place more culturally diverse with more challenges so we can really live our lives like Christ. . .Jesus didn't just stay in a "safe" comfort zone with his favorite 12 disciples all the time. They didn't hang out with each other watching movies all the time. . .Jesus hung out with people who were different from Himself. Since we life in the self-proclaimed Bible belt, finding people who have different beliefs is a challenge. Even though there are truly people here who are non-believers and who have differing beliefs from myself, most of them are not real about it. We're looking for real people to be in our lives who say they are not followers of Christ. . .people who aren't afraid to be honest about who they are. Plus, we want to live in Asia, hopefully in the next five years. Asia is a very dark place, a place of spiritual warfare. Moving from GA to Asia is like moving from the light to the dark. . .there's no grey area there.

Hence, we're moving to Seattle in June. Cultural diversity, a different place, an unchurched region, and an awesome, growing, biblical, NOT AFRAID TO SPEAK OUT AND STEP ON TOES church. Amen, hallelujah. We want to be a part of a church where people aren't scared to be themselves, where the pastor gets out and is active and missional, and a place where we can use our spiritual gifts. There just isn't an outlet here for mercy. At Mars Hill, there are tons of opportunities, community groups, outreach activities, and a very much missional community of people who may not be cookie cutter Christians. . .but being a cookie cutter is not something to be desired. Each has been given a gift, and each gift has a purpose and is to be desired.

When:
June, after our dear friends get married.

Where:
Somewhere within 10 miles of the center of Seattle. Hopefully neighbors with some funky people who can challenge us. Push us outside that comfort zone.

Why:
Because we want to follow God's call, we want to be around a larger Asian population, and God tells us to go to the world. He didn't tell us to sit in the living room and wait for something/someone to fall into our laps. Don't get me wrong--I believe in God's providence, and I believe that God brings things to us. . .but we aren't supposed to sit around and be lazy about things either.

If we're supposed to be like the farmer who goes out and tills the soil because he trusts in the rain, then we as Christians have to act on our beliefs. As an old-school pastor of mine who used to jump the pews said to me at a young age. . ."If you're going to talk the talk, you've got to walk the walk." In our case, we'll be "driving the distance" or something catchy like that.

As we say in my classroom, Amen, Hallelujah.

Phone interview

I have a phone interview this Friday for a job in Seattle. . .YEHAW! It's at the child care place that I really liked when I looked at their website.

I got way too excited to see a small child of Asisan descent in a picture. It was love at first sight!

It'll be interesting to actually be interviewed over the phone. I have always basically been hired by word of mouth. . .and I've only had one in person interview with a principal. I hope that it goes well and that the people are what they seem to be!

I want to work with people who are genuinely concerned with the wello being of the children we work with. I pray that there will be others at my new job who are not there just to receive a paycheck. I pray that we will be motivated with one sound focus. . .to help to intervene in the lives of these precious children.

It's back to the little ones for me. Smaller means easier to help in many cases. This will be great in light of my recent back pain.

I love the kids. That's what it's all about.

:)

I pray that God will help use me at my job and at the new homestead to reach others and make a difference.

Ch-ch-ch-changes. . .

Ah yes.

It's time for another change. My life gets too busy to blog, but when it's time for a change, I try to at least write a blurb.

It's official: my husband and I are moving to Seattle in June.

After months of praying and seeing what the Lord wants us to do, we see that:

1. We have to move to an area where Asians and other cultural groups live, work, and play. If we want to move to Asia in five years, we need a little bit more in the color scale, if you know what I'm saying. Here in Georgia, it's pretty difficult to find people who aren't part of the "Bible belt" mindset.

2. I need a job change. I am praying and hoping for a job in early intervention or preschool. I will not live my life this stressed, and I will not choose my career over my family. My husband agrees. :)


So we're REALLY excited and ready to experience a life-changing move across the country.

We still love the people in our church family here, but this place is very much a comfort zone. We have to spread out as Christians, not just stay with each other.

We'll see how it goes!

Happily married

I'm finally happily married to my best friend, my love muffin, my pookie! :)

Life's pretty sweet!

Falling Into Place

Well, I think it's about time for another update on the craziness that is often my life. It is crazy, but beautiful. Ironically, that is the title of an old late 90's movie with Kirsten Dunst!

Last-minute wedding details are finally coming together. Friday we printed wedding invitations--they look great! On Saturday, I went with two of my favorite people to pick out my bridal jewelry that I get to wear for free on the day of my wedding! :) Today I have finalized our guest list and I know EXACTLY how many stamps I need to purchase to mail the necessary invitations.

Decorations have been discussed, my wedding dress is waiting for me to pick it up in Atlanta, and photography shots have been discussed. . .from Chinese take-out to pictures in trunks, it's all coming to a close.

75 days.

I really have enjoyed the planning, but I am ready to execute. That's just who I am. I like to plan out each detail of something and then execute. Now I feel like I am just hanging around. However, there are still things that jump out at me, reminding me that I have plenty left to do. From addressing envelopes to placing a monogrammed stamp directly in the middle of a wedding program, I will manage to keep myself very busy with wedding planning right up until Nov. 21. Hopefully, more like the 20th. There is no need to do stuff the day of except enjoy getting my hair done with my favorite people. Ahh, hair salon photography. Great stuff.

I am so thankful for the wonderful people who have helped me through all of the planning. . .the people who met with me to work on things, the people who helped me choose just the right font, and the people who selflessly volunteered to help with flowers, decorations, photography, food, etc. I have been blessed with so many wonderful things throughout this whole process, and even though I stress out at times (mainly over money), it has all been a great deal of fun.

My fiance is the most wonderful person in the world and I am anxious to start our life together as a covenent family. I pray that together, we will share the love of Christ with even more fervence. And I pray that our marriage shows Christ's love for the church as it should! :)