I’m a Florida girl through and through.
You can take the girl out of Florida but can never take Florida out of the girl.
There’s nothing overly spiritual about this post. I just didn’t want to forget these past few days and how it made me feel.
Living in a state other than your home state is odd. The new place is home too, in a different way. The intentional roots bind me to Tennessee with a beautiful purpose. But each and every time I cross into my home state, something inside me exhales, a breath I didn’t even realize I was holding.
Something about this trip was so different, I felt different, I took things in a little differently. Because I knew in September when I came back to Florida it would be saying goodbye for a year.
There is nothing quite like being with your people, the ones who get you. The ones that make you laugh like only family can do. I drive around my hometown and feel like a foreigner but yet at home at the same time, it’s so weird.
And there is nothing like a Florida sunset.
This is when I know I’m home. I can’t even explain the peace and serenity my soul felt at this very moment. I didn’t think about anything other then what was right in front of me and trying to capture the perfect picture of a pod of dolphins lol. I could just be and it was like all was right in the world.
This is Honeymoon Island. I wasn’t on a honeymoon, lol, but I’m all about the island life. I think I wept tears of joy when my feet hit the sand and my eyes hit the ocean. It was like uniting with a long lost friend.
Not kidding. lol.
This brief escape from life, a schedule, to just be, not have to think, it was like balm for my soul. I didn’t realize how badly I needed it, like in the worst way. My sole focus and priority since January has been this life experience I’m about to embark on as I go on my year long missions trip…. mentally and spiritually getting ready and fundraising…..Oh, the fundraising!!! I think during this time I was really able to wrap my head around this as I took some time to breathe and pause for a moment.
I pray for more moments like this…..To take it all in, wherever I’m at, to be still, listen to God’s voice and be present, be teachable and have open ears and an open heart.
Florida, I will see you again in September as I take on the greatest adventure yet.
