When life changes in a week and you sit there stunned, mostly because you didn’t think it would.
I think I’ve talked about moving every time my housing arrangements are coming to an end. Making short term living arrangements this has happened at least three times in the past two years. Not because I hate Gainesville….I actually love a lot of it (even more so now that I’m preparing to leave it). I dislike transition but I like endings of things… To end one thing ushers in a new season (maybe a contradicting statement, but just accept it). I came to Gainesville to rest, train, prepare and be sent back out on the mission field. This has looked far differently then I imaged it would be and I’m okay with that. Northeast Georgia has been a safety net, a loving, welcoming net that caught me when I needed it.
My lease is ending soon, so obviously I was stuck with the question do I leave or do I stay and if I leave where do I go.
Friends have invited me to different cities and I have friends who would welcome me if I invited myself to live in their city/state. (I’m extremely thankful for all of you). So when a town that I had never been before loomed in my mind I ignored it, prayed about it, then I told my dad about it, and then a few friends, and then all of a sudden…. (Be careful what you speak)
October 7th- I’m sitting at work wrestling with my doubts until finally I say “Father, I’m tired of putting limitations on you.” Time and financial constraints; Factoring how many months I could be away with ____ this much money. Basically saying how long can I trust you? “Tonight I give it up. I will trust you. Period.”
I submit maybe 3 resumes to 1 hospital in Savannah, GA. upload resume. Click yes or no to 5 questions. Click Submit. The quickest submissions to a hospital I’ve ever done.
October 8th – I get off work and go to sleep immediately, then 5 hrs later I wake up to a voicemail from the nurse recruiter asking me to schedule an interview. Not even 12 hours after I expressed interest in the job. I set up 2 back to back interviews for the following week, rent a car (because mine has recently given me doubts in its reliability), and asked a friend if she needed some beach time.
October 12th -. I feel like I’m on my way to spy out the land. I can’t get the 12 spies of Israel out of my head and the 2 spies that go into Jericho. (Numbers 13 &14; Joshua 2)
October 14th- I walked into interview #1 and at the end of it was offered the job on the spot. Stunned I walk into interview #2 with the nurse manager over their entire pediatric department. Slightly disheartened that I don’t have the experience needed for the jobs they currently had available.
October 16th – the nurse recruiter calls me exactly 8 days from when I submitted my resume offering me a position on the pediatric floor that technically wouldn’t become available until the following day. I took the job. My dream job. I’m moving.
I’m moving to Savannah, GA.
I’m not sure what the Lord has in store there. However, His timing couldn’t be more perfect. I’m not sure what to say when friends and family have asked why Savannah. My inept response has been/ probably will continue to be why not…
Why not trust Him?
Why not have a season alone with Him?
Why not trust that He will continue to provide financially, relationally, emotionally, physically?
Why not go when all you have is a whisper, a thought, a thought tested and doors opened.
I think I ask myself what kind of woman do I want to be and I want to be one who follows even when it doesn’t make sense. When I don’t have an answer to why Savannah, other than why not. I want to hold possessions with open hands, I want to recognize when land is mine for the taking. I want my trust to be an active trust in the Lord, the one who says be strong and courageous. I want to be someone who is a woman of her word. I’m dreaming of what Savannah could be and a lot of it entails you guys. I want to build a safe, welcoming, restful place. Because this is what has been offered to me by so many of you. So when I find a place….I welcome you to it.
Since being in the Philippines this summer I’ve taken hold of the promise in Joshua 1:3 “I promise you what I promised Moses. ‘Everywhere you go; you will be on land that I have given you.”
It means He’s with me wherever I go.
I can’t mess up His plan.
I spied out the land, it’s good, it’s wonderful, and it has a beach. There are going to be some major challenges. The work is new and challenging. But he’s faithful. Let me be like Joshua who comes back and says this can be mine for the taking. The Lord is with me.
For now I might be placing my pack in the closet, retiring my travel pillow, and stowing away my passport. I’ve depleted my frequent flyer miles, I’m moving further away from the international airport, and my car is not so reliable anymore. In away I don’t feel quite as free. I don’t know what this next season brings but the girl who has literally gone somewhere every month since coming home 2 years ago, might be found investing in her new community, content with staying for however long He has me there. Because I know if He says go….I’m well practiced. I don’t know what to expect but I’m excited. I’m sad to leave. I’m terrified. It really is a bittersweet thing.
But for real….come visit me.
