Our Move to GA

About a year ago, Greg started to question where his future was headed with his job. He was happy with things, but he hit a plateau for possibilities of advancement. Greg wanted to help people hands on, with opportunities for growth and other areas of learning. He prayed for answers, and felt God leading us somewhere outside of Mississippi.

In the meantime, while Greg was going through this, I was praying for directions in my life...for God to expand our territory. I am a stay home mom, and I paint ceramics on the side. God has blessed me beyond measure with the opportunity to do something I love, but I felt called to be involved in some ministries inside and outside of church.

One day last Oct., a guy Greg did business with called him out of the blue telling him about a job at a law firm in Atlanta. The guy heard about the job from a client and thought of Greg. So this guy called Greg asking him to consider looking into the job. Within a couple of days, Greg had a phone interview. Things sounded nice but we were a long way from getting an offer.

The next week we were going to NYC for Greg to get a certification. This firm called and wanted to do a second interview via satellite with Greg.

You want to know how God works? Like this.....
There wasn't anywhere for Greg to do a satellite interview in Jackson, MS other than his current place of employment. That just wouldn't be the right thing to do. Greg explained to the prospective firm that he had to go to NYC for the certification and they could try to work out something as soon as he got back into town. The firm had an office in NYC and suggested that Greg do the satellite interview while he was there. So, Greg arranged the interview. Did I mention it was in NYC? We were worried he would never find the place. We didn’t know if he’d have to get a cab. Then, if he did have to get a cab, how early would he have to leave to make it there? We were so confused.

So guess where the firm was located? Almost next door to where we were staying. It was so close that I could look out of our hotel window and see Greg walk out of that building when he left the interview.

Still don't see God working? I'll go on....HE gets so much better.

While we were still in NYC, the day after his satellite interview in fact, the firm in Atlanta wanted to interview him in person, soon. From the first phone call until this point was all within one week. The firm wanted to interview Greg on Friday, and we were flying home to MS on Thursday.

Here comes God working His wonders again...

We had to switch flights in Atlanta on Thur. night. Greg took off of work on Friday and stayed in Atlanta for the interview, while Kirsten and I flew back home. Kirsten and I weren’t left hanging. God was protecting us. He brought Allison, my BFF with us on our trip. As for Greg, his BFF, Jason, lives and works in Atlanta...not far from where Greg was interviewing. Jason, who travels more than he’s home, was in town that night, going to work that Friday, AND....see God here.....driving to MS on Friday night for a Southern Miss football game on Sat. Oh yeah, I am not exaggerating at all....I don't have to.

Now for the sprinkles on top....Greg's future boss....graduated from Southern Miss, and his name is Greg. Can we just stop and say Hallelujah!!

I wish I could say that this was enough for me to see God’s hand in this experience, but at the time, it wasn't. As I said before, I didn't want to move to Atlanta. It scared me. I cried, I argued, I pleaded...I tried everything to convince Greg we didn't need to move, but I couldn't. Greg explained that this was an answered prayer. I had prayed for this and so had he. I just couldn't see things that way. After more praying, I realized this was God's will and I had an awful attitude towards this gift, and towards my husband for trying to provide a better life for our family.

Greg moved to Atlanta in Jan., 2009 and stayed with Jason until Kirsten and I moved here in April. I really needed those 3 very long months to say my good-byes, and to appreciate my husband for the wonderful man he is. I developed such a heart for single parents. It is SO hard. Kirsten was only 18 months old when Greg moved, and she couldn't understand any of this. She became very attached to me and never wanted to be left alone. She would wake up all during the night, every night, when Greg wasn't there. It was so hard to deal with all by myself. The lack of sleep really takes a toll on you mentally and physically. During those three months Kirsten had the stomach virus, a really bad cold, and strep throat, so I tried not to take her out too much. I truly survived only on God's strength and grace. Lack of sleep breaks your immune system down so me not getting sick was a miracle and a blessing.

God bless Allison for her help. Without her I wouldn’t have made it. Seriously, she was the only one there for me during this season. I was so lonely and sad. I am not trying to have a pity party, but it was a very hard time for me. I tried a few times to reach out to family, just for moral support or a nap, but no luck. After the first week of Greg's move, I never really heard from either side of the family. They called once or twice, but only on choir practice nights. After the second week, they quit calling and checking on us. My mom didn't speak to me the last month and a half I was in MS. At church people would say, "I thought you moved." The people that used to call me everyday to hang out, quit calling me, and quit wanting to hang out. I knew life would go on when I moved, but I felt forgotten before I was even gone. I started to buy the lies Satan was feeding me that no one really cared about us. Lack of sleep can tear your guards down. I remember being on the phone with Greg one night and everything I was doing by myself hit me all of a sudden. I just had a breakdown right then and there. I started crying out of exhaustion, fear, frustration, hurt and anger. I was thinking, "what if something happened to me? Kirsten can't call for help." "What if I had a heart attack?" "What if we got in an accident?" There was no one I could call. There was no one I could count on. As I was having my breakdown, the Spirit reassured me that God is my protection and shelter. This was happening to strengthen me and teach me to rely on Him. I see that I went through this season to develop my independence, increase my confidence, and to appreciate my husband more.

Now moving on to the second phase of this season….

Being in an apartment for the past 6 months has been challenging to say the least. The pros are that our family is back together, and we have time to really figure out where we want settle down. Also, the fact that we have a place to live in such an economic crisis is a blessing in itself. The cons are it's a small 2 bedroom apt, with limited spacing and almost everything we own is in storage. This is difficult because we can't get to our stuff in storage because it's packed so tight. Also, for six months money was extremely tight. Paying rent and a house note back in MS, not to mention utilities and insurance for two residences can drain you. This has taught us financial discipline and that God gave us this gift, so He needs to be in charge of our spending. We have been strapped, but He has always provided.

God is in control of all of this. I consider this season in my life as visiting my "Shack". I have had nothing to do but play with Kirsten and develop a deeper relationship with My God. I am seeking after His heart, and I am getting to know Him in ways I never knew Him before. He is showing me who I am in Him. He is breaking my heart for what breaks His. He is cleaning up my "stuff" and healing my hurts. He is helping me to let go of bitterness that I've held onto for a long time. He's showing me not only the importance of forgiveness, but He's teaching me how to forgive. I am finding rest in Him and His timing. I understand that while I am with Him at my “shack” He is doing His BEST work in me. He is preparing me, equipping me, and training me for His purpose for me. I am humbled by how much He cares about not only me, but my family.

God blessed us last week with the sale of our home in MS. His timing is perfect. I can't wait to see where He takes us this next season. I am just so amazed at how much God loves us, and the extremes He'll go to, to show us this. He has brought us to GA for a reason, and I pray everyday to live out His will.