Moving Forward

The chorus to Ricardo Sanchez’s song “Moving Forward” sings You make all things new and I will follow you forward. I’ve always enjoyed this song, but it took on a special meaning in March when I visited my home church. I was sitting on the front row and silently rehearsing the words I would say when I would be called to the stage to give a 9-minute speech about my upcoming missions trip. 

After the worship set was over, the worship leader sat down next to me and whispered, “I felt you were supposed to come to the altar for that song [‘Moving Forward’]. I didn’t call you out so that’s why I said the altars are open, but I felt that was for you.” Her words I did not take lightly. Instead, I prayerfully pondered the song often as I played it over and over again.  

Today marks the last of my employment at City Church and tomorrow friends and I gather to help me load my entire 1 bedroom/1 bathroom apartment into a Uhaul trailer. 

While I would never have considered returning to North Port even a few months ago, I do not believe my return to be a step backward. In fact, I’m moving forward. I’m not the same person I was when I left three years ago this month. And I will not again become that person if I continue to follow Him forward.

My new journey begins on September 8 in the marketing department of a healthcare facility that sits right across the street from where I attended high school and will provide the means to pay down my student loans quickly. I have begun the missionary associate application, and have requested information on earning ministerial credentials. I have not time to waste for I must continue moving forward. I don’t know how long I’ll be home, but my time will be productive and I’ll cherish every moment spent with my family and friends who are more like family. I’ve missed them. 

Those foreign lands they call to me… From whence they call I do not know, but surely it will be revealed in due time as I continue.

Some of the Best Decisions are the Hardest

Written on Thursday, July 24, 2014:

I did something very difficult today. It was difficult for so many reasons, but I did not make this decision alone or without the counsel of many. I prayed for almost 7 months about this decision and sought the heart of God. I sought the counsel and wisdom of my godly parents and those whose footsteps I wish to follow. Today I resigned from my job.

Here’s how it all happened.

As the end of the lease on my apartment neared, my rent was raising to an amount I could not afford and the leasing company would not budge. After weeks of prayer, I decided not to renew. Coincidentally, the lease was due on July 14, the day we left for the Dominican Republic. Not wanting to add to the stress of preparing for a missions trip, I worked it out to stay 1 month longer at the market rate. Up to that point, all the Lord had clearly shown me was that He wanted me to go to the Dominican Republic on a missions trip July 14 – 21 so much so that He paid for it in full and then some. Not even a car accident the Wednesday before could stop me. The other party took full liability and the insurance company has been wonderful and a joy to work with.

Immediately after I signed up for the missions trip in March, three people who don’t know each other at all approached me with the same prophetic word. The Bible says to let every word be established by the witness of 2 or 3 people, but I had 4 witnesses. In addition to the 3 words from people, I had a dream in January during the Daniel Fast with the same message. God is good and I watched and prayed.

Leading up to the trip, I knocked on doors that remained shut while the door on my apartment was also coming to a close. I took every day step by step offering it to God. Then clarity came. At the end of each outreach in the DR, both national and U.S. teams formed a prayer tunnel to lay hands on every child and pray for them. I couldn’t keep from crying. Through the overwhelming support of others, God allowed me to come thousands of miles overseas to pray with each of these kids and speak life into their situation. It was in those times I spent ministering that I sensed my destiny. This was about something greater than me and my decisions paled in comparison to God’s overarching purpose.

As I rode in a bus with tasseled curtains to each destination, my eyes peered out the window. Regular gas was $221 pesos (roughly $5.13 U.S. dollars), people made eye contact and waved, beautiful trees with orange flowers lined the streets, and I prayed from a place of wonder. Why not? Let peace be my guide.

Resigning was not an easy thing to do as I handed over my letter and spoke through tears and nervousness. The way God moved me to this area was none short of a miracle all along the way. I grew during my time here. I learned how to budget, how to cook, how to live by myself, how to adjust in a city where I didn’t know a soul… All preparation for what is to come. The way I began working at the church was a miracle and a blessing, too. I learned so much from the staff and team. The people… Where do I start? In my 2 3/4 years of work, I made some friends whom I will cherish in my heart forever. I am grateful, but my heart is finally at rest and I have peace.

So what’s next, you ask? After my last day of employment on August 15, I am returning to my hometown to spend as much time with family as possible, work, and save, save, save that money! I am going into full-time missions and I must make preparations.