moving

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Momentary Challenges

I’ve enjoyed the opportunity to talk with my family and friends a bit more than I was during the school year. 

Technology makes it easy to stay in touch. Thanks to Facebook, email, text, and FaceTime living so far away is much more bearable. 

Honestly, I have struggled with a touch of homesickness the last week. 

I know that Rhema is where I’m supposed to be, but these feelings can creep up faster than you realize. 

Reminding myself what this season is all about–following the Holy Spirit–is why I chose to move away. 

This is something I needed and wanted to do. 

And while I do miss my family and friends, I know that they are supportive of my desire to follow God. 

I’ve come face to face with homesickness ( and I’m sure this won’t be the last time).

I’m also living in such a sweet season of blessing. 

The amount of stuff I’m learning at school and in ministry service is more than I ever imagined.

It makes these momentary challenges worth it. 

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Life Unlimited

Coming home to my apartment is still a bit surreal. 

I live here…Cool!

This weekend I hope to have some friends over because hospitality is a big deal to me. 

I look around and can already tell this is a place where truth and grace and peace and fun (can’t forget the fun!) will be in abundance. 

Do you know that you already have enough? 

There’s nothing stopping you from being hospitable and friendly. 

There’s nothing stopping you from sharing the gospel and befriending in your neighbors. 

Nothing except you. 

The list of supposed limitations we place on ourselves doesn’t match up with what the Bible says. 

Christians are a people blessed with all spiritual blessings. God’s given us access to the best of everything!

Rhema Bible Church’s motto is “Living Life Unlimited.” 

Do you know of a better way to live? 

Unlimited. 

Free. 

Called. 

Equipped. 

Don’t just talk about the good life–live it!

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Another successful move

I am now settled in at my new place! It’s a one room apartment about 5 miles east of Rhema. 

All of the details of this move–much like my original move out to Tulsa–have been taken care of by God. 

God’s faithfulness to provide is yet another clue to how much He loves me and wants me to trust Him. 

We all know this verse:

Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all of these things shall be added unto you. 

When you determine in your heart to follow God no matter what, He will take care of your every need. 

God’s provision is promised to us because He doesn’t want anything to distract us from our purpose:

Loving God and loving people. 

I look forward to opening up my home to others. God has blessed me so much and I want my home to be a safe, peaceful place full of God’s love. 

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Overflowing Love

When Jesus sent out the 70 disciples, He told them not to take anything–not even an extra change of clothes!

The early church sold all of their extra stuff (they shared everything else) and dumped the money at the apostles’ feet. 

The widow in the temple gave everything she had. 

Paul teaches us the secret of contentment: Do all things through Christ who strengthens you whether you’re broke or rich. 

We’re told to not covet in The 10 Commandments and by Jesus Himself. 

We’re told to seek The Kingdom first because God is the supplier of our every need. 

And I could keep going with examples!

I’m packing up to move and I wonder if I’m too greedy…

Am I willing to give everything away?

To share everything?

To see my life–time, giftings, possessions, and money–as simply a means to help others?

I want to say yes. I want it to be an all-the-time truth, but I struggle…

Can’t something be mine?

Here was God’s answer:

Yes, the one thing no one can take away is your relationship with Me. What else do you want?

Ouch!

God is an all-in kind of Father. He gave us everything He had. Nothing was held back from us. 

I want to be that kind of person. 

I want to be all-in. 

My life was so empty before my relationship with God. No amount of success or approval or stuff could fill the void. 

My response to His great grace is that I want to live a life stripped bare of anything that keeps me from being full of Him, of His overflowing love. 

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Trust is key 

I entered a busy season today. There’s a lot going on at school and work. 

It’s all good stuff, but it could easily become overwhelming if I let it. 

And we all know that stress and worry has never helped anyone. 

I’m doing my best to combat any anxious thoughts immediately by praying about them instead of fretting over them. 

It really works! 

In fact, I am more at peace now than I ever was in the past when facing similar situations. 

My trust in God has increased exponentially and I’m learning to bring it all to Him first–not as a last resort. 

One of the biggest lessons I’m learning at Rhema is that knowing something and doing something are very different. 

Yes, I have known for a long time that trusting God is key to a peaceful and fruitful life.

 I have many stories about how trusting God has pulled me out of many seemingly impossible situations. 

But living in Tulsa has only increased my opportunities to trust God more fully. 

Like Dean Tad says, “If you can move to Tulsa by faith, you can follow God anywhere by faith.”

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Assurance vs. Control

  I had an opportunity to interpret tonight! 

It was my first time at Victory Christian Church and my interpreter friend allowed me to help her out during a small group Bible study. 

Sign language is such a part of my life now. Meeting some deaf friends and getting involved in deaf ministry is an important aspect in my move to Tulsa. 

My first priority is being a student at Rhema, of course, but I can’t imagine not signing…

God is faithful, though, and He knows what He’s doing. 

Whenever you’re in a transition period, trust that God is working on your behalf and leading you to the right people and the right places. 

Sure, my involvement in deaf ministry looks nothing like it did back in Birmingham. 

And that’s okay because:

  • God knows my heart. 
  • God knows my gifts. 
  • God has a plan and a place for me. 

This is all the assurance I need.  

Interpreting tonight was fun because God opened the door. 

The biggest lesson I’ve learned since moving is that I like control way too much. 

Just call me a recovering control freak…

My 5th and final goal for 2016 is to stop seeking control over every detail. I don’t have to be a micro manager. 

Being in control is not my job –it’s God’s job. 

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A training culture 

Moving to a new place definitely changes your perspective. 

I visited Tulsa back in October, but it wasn’t my city yet. I was merely a visitor. 

Now I’m a resident and there’s an increased eagerness to really pay attention to stores and directions and the culture. 

I think the same can be said of any new adventure in life. 

Eagerness and curiosity will help you learn more because both are great motivators.

Great things are happening here. I’m excited to see how I can contribute. 

There’s so much to learn, so much to do and I really want to soak it all up. Many have told me that the lessons learned at Rhema are more caught than taught. 

The school wants you to learn, yes, but more importantly they want you to put into practice what you’re learning. 

I can’t wait for classes to start! January 19th can’t come fast enough. 

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The fun has arrived

I made it to Tulsa!

It took me about 9 1/2 hours to get here. 

I drove for 5 straight hours, bought some gas, and then finished up the trip. 

Now to rest…

I’m looking forward to my first weekend in town and getting situated in my room. 

Did I mention that I had a companion?

  Meet Strawberry Goonhild. 
She was a gift from Savanna, which makes her the best road buddy. 

Here she is basking in the Arkansas sun:

  Strawberry likes classic rock and ’60s music. One time she wanted us to listen to hip hop, but that’s where I draw the line. 

There are several things ahead of me in the coming week. Right now, though, I’m just going to relax and thank God for getting me here.  

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Saying goodbye

I saw a sign today at Chick-fil-A:

Goodbyes are never easy…

It was followed by a mourning of (and recipe for) their cole slaw. 

Now, I’m not a serving of cole slaw–and neither are my friends and family–but Chick-fil-A got it right about goodbyes. 

I want to take everyone with me. I really do. Maybe it’s time for the entirety of Alabama to relocate….?

I am genuinely excited about the future. 

If I didn’t see you before I left, no worries. I will be back for visits. 

All of my contact information–minus my address–is the same. 

Let me know if you want my address. I love getting mail!

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Take a deep breath

Do not let your to-do list rob you of joy. 

I’ve said this 50,000 times today while hyperventilating….

There is a list of small things that need to get done between now and my move. 

There are also a lot of people who are more important than my to-do list. 

I do not want to be so task oriented that I am not enjoying my time with friends and family. 

So, I’m going to take several deep breaths and prioritize….and I won’t need a brown paper bag to do so. 

I say all of this to encourage you to not be bullied by your to-do list.

Don’t allow anyone or anything to steal your joy. 

Life is way too short for that kind of nonsense.