44,640 Minutes...

I've been in Tuscaloosa almost exactly a month now.

Things I've learned and am continuing to learn:
1) An apartment with no internet or cable is a quiet place.
2) Static works for background noise (see #1)
3) Kids are loving. And crazy. And crazy loving.
4) God is amazingly faithful and able to provide: new friends, a church family, that smile exactly when you need it, money to pay for an empty school room, a sense of direction in a new town, rest when the hours of sleep are small, that belly laugh that comes at just the right time, wisdom in a situation that you are unequipped for...and I could go on and on.
5) Kids are freaking hilarious...
6) Big Al's is not all that open to newcomers...and if you're not someone's first cousin, you're a new comer.
7) They make more Alabama clothing/stuff than I ever thought possible
8) If I go home on a Sunday afternoon, more than likely a nap is coming rather than school work
9) It is possible for me to be on time to work
10) Home is found in many different people and places
11) I may or may not be addicted to Newks and Taco Casa Dr. Pepper...and the Publix penny item

I'll have to add more later.

It's been a month. It's been a great month...with a few trying times. So far my best crying episodes have been in the bathroom of my school room while my kids were at recess and at the bank last Monday. Awesome. How's that for humbling. Yes, I do hide my head and continually apologize for being the crazy one at the bank.

It's a struggle, because this month has been solely about work; and honestly, it has kicked my butt right up about between my shoulders. I stay at work most days until about 5:30 and then plan until about midnight and up at about 5:30 to start all over again. If I listed the issues of my student's, the blogosphere would be like, whoa...too much data. However, they are the most precious, loving children in the world -- and I've been around a lot of those, so that's a big deal for me to say. I sometimes am like, God, what am I missing out on that you have for me. I cram in a prayer as I drift off and as I wake up.

I need to make more time for Him. I have prayed for wisdom more in the past 31 days than i have in my life. He is showing me lately to seek Him more...and reminding me that He knows my precious little ones much better than anyone else and can help me understand them if I rely on Him.

I am loving it here. That's easier to say on the days that I've gotten more sleep than in a usual week, but that has nothing to do with location. The Saturday 2 weeks ago that I kept running into people I knew throughout town, I realized that God has made this place home. I drive around and don't feel like a newcomer. That's nice. And weird.

Getting ready for the Safe Haven launch next weekend. As Troy spoke this morning, he said, "The past 3 months have been about stuff -- getting stuff together, now it's about people." It put into words the feeling that I have. While God has been working and I know that there are opportunities I have seen and others I have missed, preparation time is over. It's work time...how exciting, scary and humbling.

With an anticipatory (and happy) heart. Love.

Busy Week

Last week was filled with cleaning out all of the crap I've accumulated and saved over the past 31 years of my life. I would say that saying 31 years is exaggerating, but no, there are books titled, "So, You're Going to Be a Grandmother." Seriously. I even have my first semester freshman year class schedule. Seriously. It was important enough to save the schedule, but not so important to go to class. I'm a winner, what can I say.

Anyway, I've now, with the help from my amazing (there aren't words...really...) roommate, been through every single box, every single piece of clothing, even every necklace that I own. We've weeded out, thrown away, and set aside for a garage sale everything that isn't packed. And, if you know me, you'll be surprised to know that there's more I'm getting rid of than keeping.

God brought people to my impromptu garage sale and I made almost $500. What a blessing!

I've not had a lot of sleep and it's been a long week, but I feel like I'm not behind to get here. I don't know why I continue to be amazed at what an Amazing God I have.

Placing Stones...

As I continued goodbyes today, Lou suggested that I write down some of the God moments on this journey. Here are some...

I have been able to be open with my school and administration upon first sensing this calling. All I have received is affirmation.

I was hired to teach math journeys for the summer, helping me save money for moving expenses.

Knowing that I had obligations in June, I knew that it would have to be a "God thing" to obtain an interview. My interview was scheduled the first day after math journeys ended.

Beth, a friend of a friend, who is a children's minister in Tuscaloosa has been so helpful that there aren't words to describe it. She contacted friends, went through staff lists of every school in Tuscaloosa, drove me around town to see schools, opened her home and the list goes on and on. People who are so helpful make this experience so humbling.

Beth's friend on the school board took my resume to principals for me.

The Sunday before the interview, I had reached a frustration point. I love my life here and was fighting for what I don't even know anything about. After conversations with my roommate and friend, I was praying for discernment regarding the situation. After church, Mary came to me. Acknowledging that she might sound crazy, she shared with me that God had directed her to give me confirmation regarding my decision.

As I drive around town that day, I learn wonderful things about the principal I am interviewing with.

In the interview, I realize that the interviewer is a friend of a friend as well.

I have never been so sure of any decision in my life. I've never had a leading this clear and have never seen God so clearly work. However, I feel more dependant on Him than I ever have in my life. I know that my actions, my life, my work doesn't limit His work, but can limit what He does through me. I am scared to death. I'm scared to start over, scared to screw up, scared to be away from family. I've done it before, but it seems different this time. But, I know and am constantly reminded that He has called me, He has provided and He is able. This is for His glory and He will be glorified through it.

What's Happenin' Willis....

I was offered a job last week as a 4th grade teacher with the Tuscaloosa City School System. I will be moving there over the next month. :)

I don't think there's enough space in the world to type the thoughts that are going through my head during these days and nights.

As I've probably told most anyone who reads this already, to move from a place and life you love to what God is clearly calling you to do is probably the optimal situation. While knowing this definitely calms fears, this time is still a bit scary, so very sad and a quite anticipatory.

I cry as I drive over the 430 Bridge, as I think of my school full of coworkers and students I love, as I think of my sunday school girls, as I think of missing my friends and my family. Change is hard. I used to pride myself on being very adaptable...on not being tied to any "home." Maybe this is why I'm so tired to the piles of crap I'm trying to sort through and purge. I just move everything with me so wherever I am is always home. Who knows.

However, I am beginning to think that rather than having no home, I make everywhere home. Even prior (obviously) to moving to (or even visiting) Tuscaloosa, it somehow felt like I was missing home. Little Rock is not where I was raised, but it has my heart; it, too, is home. Daisy Bates is home, The Summit is home... I could continue (New Orleans, Monticello, Arkadelphia, Nashville, Mississippi College.....). All of these places are ones my heart skips a beat when I think of, places that I miss in the same way I miss old friends. I'm not sure if this means that I am adaptable or horribly not so. My friend, Blair, had a tweet with a similar sentiment recently.

In my last blog, I mentioned the sermon on Abraham. You'll be glad to know that Sarah and Abraham (and Genesis 12) were the sermon topic on Sunday.

So continues the journey....

What's next:
I start inservice for school on August 6, however my apartment won't be ready until August 15. Today, I found out that I have orientations and professional development almost the entire week prior. So, I will go to Tuscaloosa next week for a few days, come back to Little Rock for a few and then "move" in my car around the 5th. When I am able to get into my apartment, people who are way too kind to me will bring my belongings down. And then, I begin again.

To God be the Glory!

Sweet Home (To Be) Alabama

Alabama.  Really.  

Most know, some don't.  Several probably think it's just another example of my big ideas.  And, my sentence structure here, is likely to look like a Rob Bell book.  (Hopefully similar to the witty footnotes, yet certainly different in the mind blowing historical stuff).

About 32 years ago (+ some), my parents prayed for a child.  

Almost 31 years ago (yikes), I was born.  As they read Bible stories to me, I remember, even as a child, relating to the story of Hannah and Samuel and having whatever thought you can in your childish mind that, "This is me."

About 16 years ago, I felt called to ministry.  (Ensue theological debate on that statement).  However, I know what I felt and I know what God spoke to me.  Additionally, I also know all the dumb games we sometimes play with God in situations like this (if they sing this song...read this verse...sing 14 verses of Just As I Am...) and know that he played right back (I'm not really calling God a game player).   

About 13 years ago, I started school at OBU and changed my major about 14 hundred times.  Seriously.  This all lead to a decision to major in Elementary Ed.  I never would have imagined it, but I honestly believe I was created to teach.  I love my job and mostly feel like I do it well.  

About 4 years ago, I moved to New Orleans (for a 2nd time) to attend seminary and was studying Christian Education.  (This would all be game playing part 2....seriously...yes, 3 different pastors can all preach on the calling of Abraham in one Sunday).  Hurricane Katrina had other plans.  

About 3 years ago, I moved to Little Rock.  I "fell" into a job as a math specialist, where I have learned and grown more than I ever thought possible.  I have met and fell in love with many wonderful people and about 700 precious students.  I still, however, felt called into ministry and felt that this was a temporary position.  I began attending Summit Church in North Little Rock and it became home.  It is an amazing church and I could go on and on.

About 2 years ago, I was questioning God about what was next.  At that same time, I begin to hear statements about our church beginning church plants.  Because of the paragraph before this one, I thought maybe God had me here for this....and one would be near the community full of the kids I love so much.  

A few months later, I went to Seattle on a mission trip.  There, we helped a church plant do a sports camp.  I fall in love with every place I visit and usually begin trying to figure out how I'm going to move there.  While I definitely fell in love with Arlington and the people of The Commons, I knew that God had not called me there.  (Though He was calling my beautiful friend Kathy there....read more about her and her journey...)  I came home having enjoyed the trip and having enjoyed ministering.    

It had been announced in the spring that our student minister and his family felt called to start a church plant in Tuscaloosa.  After returning home, I began feeling like God was calling me to this.  I kept waiting for a burning bush or the Arkansas River to allow me to walk through it (not making fun of God's signs....just that I didn't simply trust his calling).  As the year has progressed, I've had this calling confirmed more and more.

I am currently in the process of trying to find a job in Tuscaloosa.  Paperwork is my downfall and I'm really struggling to 1) get everything done with work, tutoring, life and this process and 2) figure out what all needs done.  

Please pray for me regarding this.  Please pray for me to find a job in the location and with the people that God would have me build relationships with.  Please tell me, when you talk to me, to get my butt in gear.  

If you talk to me, I will still say "I'm planning on this...."  Since Katrina, "that's the plan," has often become my mantra.  I do trust God's provision, I trust his calling, but I do not know His full plan.  

I feel like I have been called to Tuscaloosa.  I am actively looking for jobs and would appreciate your prayers and any help you may have regarding that.  If I find a job or God asks me to step out in faith, I will be moving to Tuscaloosa -- my plan for this is over the summer.