Epiphany!

It’s been a year, 365 days-more or less- since my life changed. It changed in good ways, complicated ways, new ways, challenging ways—basically, I’m trying to say, it changed. Isn’t that just life, though? Ever-changing. That’s what I love about life. Change. After reading my previous blogs, some of you may be confused by my claims in loving change. I never said it was easy, but it’s practical, it’s necessary, and it’s what makes life so darn interesting. In the past year I have encountered more life changes than a person should probably experience in one year, but now I sit on the other side and I smile.

MAY 2012: I have become engaged. JUNE: Two weeks later my fiancé received a job offer in Oklahoma and moved. I moved out of Savannah and into my parents’ house for a month. I was in limbo-waiting….what should I do? Do I move? Will I get a job? What will happen? In Savannah, I was getting bored, so I prayed for change, I prayed for something new and different and God sure delivered. Even though it didn’t seem like it at the time, He knew exactly what he was doing. JULY: I took a flight out to Oklahoma about two weeks later, accepted a job, came home, packed my car with what I could carry , picked up my fiancé from the airport, and we drove half-way across the country to our new home.

As most of you know from my blogs, I cried…a LOT. Change isn’t always fun, but, as I said before, it is necessary for growth. Yes, I’m 27 years old, but I still have a lot of growing up to do. J AUGUST: Ok, so I moved, and a week later it was my birthday. I had to change my license and tag over to Oklahoma since both had expired. So, there went my identity. This born and raised GA peach had nothing to show for her roots except her GA girl tag on the front and UGA stickers on the car. We had moved into an apartment complex with a couple that we met when we knocked on the door. Steve and I were crammed into a room, and all we had was each other. I cried…a LOT, again. I think girls are more emotional when they leave their friends. Actually, I know girls are more emotional. I am emotional. My friends and family mean everything to me. I lived with someone for 5 years who became more than a roommate, more than my best friend, she became my sister. We shared heartaches and glasses of wine, burnt popcorn, cheesy 80’s movies, and laughs until we were both wiping tears from our eyes. I also left wonderful friends in Savannah that I will NEVER find or replace. I left childhood friends, whom I know I’ll never be without, no matter what the distance, but the distance doesn’t always make things easier.  Steve found that side of me quickly, but he didn’t run, or tell me to stop crying. He just wiped my tears, held me close, and told me that we would be ok. I didn’t know if I could believe it then, but I believe it now.

My roommates here in Oklahoma were such a blessing. God knew I needed company. He knew that I needed someone to be with when Steve was gone with football. He knew I needed someone that would become my closest friend here. See, the funny thing with the Lord is…no matter how much you turn away, or stray, or forget to pray…he’s there. He knows what’s best and although you don’t see it, he has his hand gently on your shoulder, guiding you to where you need to be.

SEPTEMBER-DECEMBER: In the fall, Steve and I decided to buy a house. It was a long, stressful process, but we are fortunate to have a place we can call our own. My dad graciously drove a truck, with all of our stuff, out to OK and helped us get settled into our new home. Living together has been an adjustment for me as well. Did I ever plan it before marriage? No, I didn’t, but I know that the Lord’s hand is here, in this…with us. The Lord has shown me that marriage is not going to be easy, he has shown me that situations will arise that challenge us every day, but he has also shown me that I have chosen the person that can survive life with me; holding my hand every step of the way.

JANUARY: After the fall semester I decided to start the Masters program here at the University, so I am currently working towards my Masters in Secondary Ed. All the while, we’re planning our wedding from half way across the states and adjusting to life in the Mid West.

Looking back, I realize that I went through more in the past year than most people go through in 5, maybe even 10 years, and although I may not be in a place where I would choose to live for the rest of my life, I am grateful for the blessings that the Lord has given me. I have so much to be thankful for. So, here I am, a year later saying I survived J not that I thought I wouldn’t, but I would be lying if I said it wasn’t hard. Here I am … saying that I’m happy, that I’m appreciative for these opportunities to grow and experience life in different ways and different places. Do I love Oklahoma? Eh…that might be stretching it… J but I love my life, and I love who is in my life…so why in the world should I be sad about that? It may have taken a year, but I think …no … I KNOW it’s all going to be OK (no pun intended)! Yeah, Epiphany Tuesday…what? J