some new stuff

Hi friends! I've gotten asked by several of you about what's going on in my world as of late, so I figured I probably should start being a better blogger. :O) That means...duh duh duh...update time. And then, hopefully, I will get back on the blogging bandwagon. So, here goes.

As you know (or hopefully know?), I moved to Maryland at the end of the summer following my 2 month stint in Uganda. I won't bore you with those details (the Maryland details), but let's just say...it's not for me. So, I am in the process of moving back to Nashville. I'm anticipating making the move in the month of March, but not quite sure exactly WHEN...probably towards the end of the month.

I've already found a GREAT place to live in East Nashville...just have to work out those pesky details such as figuring out how to afford two rents at the same time for a couple of months, leaving my job here, finding a job in Nashville, and moving all my crap across country once again. But, if you know me, you know I'm up for the challenge. Although not exactly happy and/or excited about the move itself since I just moved. SUPER excited to get back to Nashville, though!

My current work already knows I am going to be moving and has been incredible about giving me the time to figure things out. So, I am now just trying to figure out how to get a job in Nashville in this wrecked economy. (If you have any suggestions, I'm all ears!). I could most definitely use your prayers as I walk through this crazy time. Personally, it's been a very challenging time. But, I realize that God is bigger than the small things going on in my life and I am continually reminded of His grace and provision...and joy.

One of the coolest things about this past month is the amount of time I have been able to spend with my family. I realize that I may never have the opportunity to spend this amount of time with my parents again and it's been really fun. Having the new puppy has made my life crazy, as well, but it has forced me to depend on others for help, which I'm not always excited to do. So, I wouldn't trade this time for anything.

Anyway, that's the somewhat quick update. Moving to Nashville, need a job, if you want to send money, I'm ok with that. Haha. :O)

Obviously, as I get more things figured out, I will keep you posted!

my weekend & my life

I had the BEST weekend! It might have had to do with the fact that it was ridiculously warm and sunny here all weekend. Or, that Stephen and I spent all day Saturday at the Inner Harbor/Fells Point walking around and just generally seeing the sights (see flaming fire juggler guy pic below). Or that I went pumpkin picking and hay-riding with Matt, Jenn, Mark Allen, Matt and Dana today and then had some yummy dinner after. Probably, it was all of it combined together...the trifecta of a great weekend.

I would like for there to be more weekends like this...although I'm not sure the weather will cooperate. I am fairly certain that I am 15% starting to adapt to life in Maryland. Haha...sounds like a really strong statement, huh? I think that number will jump considerably higher once I move into my new place in November. As much as I don't want to be attached to the "things" of this world, it will be refreshing to have my stuff around me...to set up my home. I have some really cool stuff and pictures from Kenya, Uganda, and Zanzibar that I am excited to decorate with!

Anyway, I was thinking tonight that this is the first place I have moved that I didn't have this overwhelming desire to move to before I decided to move. Hmmm...does that make sense? For instance, Nashville - wanted to move there (all 3 times!) VERY MUCH before I actually moved there. Same with Atlanta. But Maryland...never said, "I REALLY want to live in Maryland!", either before I was born (ha ha) or this past year. Here's the kicker, though: As much as I want to balk at being here sometimes, I've honestly never felt like I'm supposed to be somewhere in a time more than I do now. Obviously (because I say it a lot), I still have a hard time not being in Atlanta or Nashville (more so because I miss my friends), but I know this is part of the journey God has been taking me on. So, here I am in Maryland. Eventually I'll just get over it and stop talking about it. I'm thinking maybe December 12th-ish.

But what a great weekend!!! :O)

the hurricane

This whole Hurricane Gustav thing is stressing me out!!!!! Knowing that something like that is approaching and not being able to do anything but leave your home has to be one of the most frustrating, scary, disheartening things you can do. I hope that people are being wise and learning from the past...and leaving the area. I can't imagine the Gulf coast experiencing the same type of devastation that it did after Hurricane Katrina. Property can be replaced...but lives can't.

My cousin is living in New Orleans right now. He moved down there last year to work with a non-profit to help rebuild after Katrina. My prayer is that he will be safe and be energized to continue the good work once all is said and done.

But, geez...I hate watching it happen from across the country. If I had a hurricane-stopping plane, I'd be on it right now.

lift high

It's been a tough day after a pretty tough week. Just a lot of wrestling with stuff and uncertainty about some things. Boring details aside, I found myself sick yesterday from the vaccinations I needed for Kenya. I knew it could happen, but hoped it wouldn't. It did. And that was on top of a migraine that was lasting 5+ days. So, I ended up staying in Franklin an extra day so I wouldn't have to drive feeling that way.

I left around 8 this morning so that I would have plenty of time to get home and get rested for work this evening. Shortly into my drive, I decided to get the update on my aunt from my mom. The call I had been dreading getting ended up being the call I placed. My aunt passed away early this morning in a very peaceful state.

Anyway, with all of that going on and hearing about my aunt today, I have been in this state of ambiguity when it comes to my emotions. (Can you BE in a state of ambiguity? Let me know if you can't....I'd like to know if my wording is correct.) I have these moments of clarity when I think I have it all figured out, but then I found myself even more confounded than before.

Tonight, I was a little late getting into the worship service. I had thought about sitting upstairs in the CLOSED balcony where I could be by myself and maybe do some work, just chill, listen to the message, etc., but Nicole had saved me a seat downstairs. So, by the time I got in there, I missed the happy happy joy joy song (which I probably could have used). Instead, I walked in just as Chrystina started singing one of my favorite new songs called Lift High (on Steve Fee's record, Eddie Kirkland wrote it). You can hear it here: or hear Eddie sing it on the new North Point Live CD, Louder than Creation, which should be on the webstore anyday.

The imagery of this song spoke to me tonight and allowed me to see things a little bit more clearly, even if only for a moment. I saw peace and I experienced grace. I'm not sure I got any answers to the personal issues going on, but maybe my answers don't need to come right now.

when you know.

Just before Thanksgiving, my mom told me that my aunt (her oldest sister) had just found out that her cancer had begun to spread all throughout her body and that she probably wouldn't have much more time left to live...maybe 6 months or so. When she told me, I wasn't sure what to do with the information.

I just talked to my mom and she said they had to take my aunt to a hospice care facility today. Her whole family was there, waiting to hear what was going on. What happened to the 6 months?

Growing up, I spent a lot of time with my Aunt Ginny. She's 13 years older than my mom and helped raise my mom (there were 8 kids) and definitely served as a surrogate grandmother for me. My grandmother died when I was pretty young and was sick most of the time that I remember her. I used to go to school with Aunt Ginny and help get her classroom set up every summer (she was a teacher)...I always looked up to her. She would give me all of her old teaching materials so that I could go back to my house and "teach" my stuffed animals.

So, all of this...I don't know what to do with it.

The beautiful thing about this Thanksgiving is that I was able to spend it with her. My dad, mom and I went to my cousin's house and had Thanksgiving dinner with their whole family. It may be the last time I ever see my Aunt Ginny. What do I do with that?

congrats to my dad, the new mayor of aberdeen!

Well, the voters have spoken. My dad is the new Mayor of Aberdeen, Maryland. What a crazy ride it was. I think they still have to tally the absentee ballots, but it was a large enough win that it shouldn't have any effect. Here's a Baltimore newscast from earlier this evening.

Good job, Daddy-O! I'm SO proud of you for putting up with all the nonsense the other guy threw your way and not stooping to his level by giving it back. Thank you for being honest, responsible, and respectful. I know you will use your new position for the good of the community and not for evil. I'm sure the citizens of Aberdeen will be better off with you in office. I will continue to pray for you as you step into this new role. You rock!!!

Cheesy Mayor pose...