Today marks the end of one phase of my life. I am stepping out on faith and leaving my employment. It is time to try something new in someplace new.
I have mixed emotions about leaving my job. It has been a blessing – albeit a frustrating one at times – to work here. I am so grateful that my supervisor took a chance on me all those years ago. I have learned and grown a lot in my position.
I’m ready for the change yet I am nervous about the unknown. I’m jumping without a net and that is far from my normal character. However, it is time to make the leap. I had prayed about my situation and knew that if God wanted me to change my circumstances that He would work everything out. And, lo and behold, He has. Things fell neatly into place to allow every change I wanted to come to pass.
Still, I wouldn’t be human if I didn’t have some concern. It’s difficult to relinquish control and simply trust that the next step in the staircase will be there. I am clinging to the knowledge that the Lord has me in his care. He has never let me down before and will not in the future.
So – that all being said – I am FREAKING EXCITED to embark on this new adventure! Follow along with me and let’s see what lies around that next bend!
Today I embark on a new path in life. I have become the parent of all adult children.
My oldest child is already 28 but today my baby girl turned 18 years old. 18. A legal adult. Among other things, she can now vote, get married, join the armed forces and enter legal contracts. My legal obligation to her has ended and now she is responsible for all of her life decisions. All my sacrifices and striving to raise a Christian, independent, intelligent and resourceful woman has culminated in this day. All I can do now is hope that everything I have planted comes to fruition.
My emotions are varied on this day. I am sad my little girl is no more but proud of the woman she has become. Sydney has always been an old soul. She is mature and makes good decisions. She knows who she is and will not be swayed in her thinking. Some call her stubborn but I call her independent and focused. Sydney has a plan for her life and is working hard towards achieving her goals. I am not afraid of her future decisions but of the hurt and strife she will inevitable encounter in the course of life. If I could make sure her way was smooth and her troubles non-existent I would.
I am excited about this new phase of our relationship and look forward to the future. My mother and I are very close and I always wanted a daughter to share in that type of relationship. Sydney is the daughter I longed for and I am so blessed that God chose me to be her Mother. It has been, and continues to be, an amazing gift.
A couple of weeks ago I took advantage of Allegiant Air’s low price flights and winged my way to the sunshine state aka Florida! It was a shoestring solo trip but was so good to get away and relax.
I spent copious amounts of time relaxing by the pool with a good book just soaking up the sunshine. However, I did manage to visit the beach. A tropical storm was coming in on my last day so the surf was turbulent and the sky was cloudy.
It was beautiful though and I hope to return to the area when I have another opportunity.
As on my recent flight to Dallas – I did fine on the plane – even with the turbulence one the return trip. I met some very nice folks on the flight down and back. I have yet to sit next to or near disagreeable passengers. The Allegiant flight was smooth, on time and the flight staff was great. I will definitely fly Allegiant again if the opportunity arises. Check my blog as my HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATE (yikes! how did THAT happen??) and I will be taking a trip in July to visit friends and explore points west.
In late April I did something I hadn’t done in many, many years….. I boarded a plane!
Ready for takeoff????
I know some folks take planes like they take buses but for me that hasn’t been the case. I’ve never been afraid to fly but usually finances and airsickness dictated that I drive to my destination. This time, however, I decided to give air travel another shot.
It was amazing! I did NOT get sick AT ALL! I followed advice I found online and ate light with Dramamine thirty minutes before. I flew American Airlines and the flights were on time and smooth. I sat next to nice folks each way The flight attendants were super great on each flight. It was amazing to travel over 1000 miles in less than two hours. I kept telling my friend that I couldn’t get over that I was in NC that morning.
Now that I know I will not get airsick – or most likely won’t – look out friends and family because I’m coming to see ya! I’ll be jetting thither and yon as much as my budget (and workplace) allow!
It has been a while since my last post. Things in my world have changed dramatically in the last few months. I’ll just say that life is a journey full of twists, turns, detours and redirection. My personal journey has taken a different road and I will be traveling on the in the single lane.
Stick with me – the adventures are just beginning!
In Matthew 5:44 Jesus tells us to “love your enemies and pray for those that persecute you”. The concept goes against our vengeful human nature. It is difficult to do with strangers or those that are on the fringes of your life. The prospect is even more daunting when your enemy is someone you love. We don’t think of loved ones as enemies, but sometimes they act like they are. These may be family members who, for whatever reason, have chosen to persecute you in word or deed.
When someone you love greatly seeks to do harm we are in shock, we are hurt and we are confused. We may not understand their motives or reasoning at all. Communication is key but may not be a viable option. Sometimes it necessary to love from a distance and give the person space to deal with the issues within themselves. In such instances, Jesus instructs us to “…bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.” Luke 6:27-28
In these times we are to turn to God and pray for guidance, pray for our “enemy”, and pray that God will intervene and rectify the situation to His glory.
Three weeks ago today I set out on a new experience journey to Wyoming USA. This was my very FIRST Mission Trip! I have to admit I was nervous. I didn’t know what to expect and going into uncharted territory isn’t exactly in my comfort zone. What would I be doing? Where would I sleep? Would I mesh well with the rest of the group going? How would we all work together? Would we all get along or would there be personalities that clashed and caused conflict?
This way to the mountaintop!
Our team of 10, from Central Baptist Church in Oak Ridge NC, spent a week atop Casper Mountain assisting with repairs, tree removal, cleaning, cooking and many other jobs at the Mountaintop Baptist Assembly Camp.
The guys took down several large trees that were a threat to falling on the camp.
In attendance that week were approximately 50 little girls ages 7-12 plus around 15 counselors and staff.
Feeding the masses – those were some hungry little gals!
Going on this trip was such a blessing. The girls were adorable and 4 little souls came to know Jesus Christ as their Savior. The work was hard and the hours long but I would do it again in a minute, in fact we hope to go back in 2016 if it is God’s will.
There is so much to do to further the Kingdom of God and His servants. Our team hopes to return and do some repairs and updates to camp buildings as well as construction on a housing structure for the Camp Director Lynda Roark. Lynda leaves her family in Glendo, Wyoming (about 100 miles from the camp) for three months each year to serve at the camp. While on the mountain, Lynda lives in a travel trailer. The trailer does not lend itself to long term living and has a lack of rudimentary facilities. Our prayer is that we can raise funds and return to either purchase a tiny house or build one on site. We all ask that you be in prayer for this need.
Our work crew – minus 2 – on the last day. Lynda, Camp Director, is on the bottom right in blue t shirt.
As for my fears about the trip? Of course they were all unfounded. I can’t say we never got on each others nerves, but the team worked wonderfully together and a great amount was accomplished. I could not have asked for a better team and look forward to working with them in the future. We got along well….well, aside from the above reference about getting on each other’s nerves….but after, 4,864 miles and ten days on the road what can you expect?
Wyoming heading into Montana….God’s wondrous creation.
I thank the Lord for this opportunity. We also thank everyone on the team – David, Donna, Shari, Phil. Don, Donna, Terry & Mike for an AMAZING experience!
(A special thanks goes toDavid who took me all the way into Idaho and Montana so I could color in some more states – I, personally, really appreciate your help with my 50 States Bucket List!)
This morning our crew leaves out from Lexington, Nebraska and begins the last leg of our journey will be in Casper, Wyoming late this afternoon.
The trip has been good so far but we are all looking forward to landing at the camp and getting settled in. 75-100 girls ages 7-12 arrive at the camp Sunday afternoon so we want to be well rested and ready for the crowd!
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Ready for takeoff????
Mom on Holiday 