A BEGINNING.

"AAHHH!!!"

"What am I doing?!?"

"I am crazy, absolutely crazy"

"God, you need to show up, because I took a giant leap of trust by getting on this plane!"

Welcome to the moment of panic I experienced as my friends Katie and Curtis picked me up from the airport on Thursday, September 1. This is an important date. It marks the day I moved back to Atlanta, GA to start a new beginning in my life. I have no job, and no house to call my own (but I am deeply grateful for Pastor Tim and Andrea who are allowing me to live with them until our house is ready to move into).

Although many aspects of my life are up in the air, I call this place home. As cheesy as it may sound, this is where my heart is. I love, and am richly blessed by my neighborhood, church family, and friends. People give generously with sincere hearts. I receive this as Pastor Tim and Andrea welcome me into their family. I have a spot around the dinner table and a comfortable bedroom, and they expect nothing in return. Laura, a dear friend of mine gives me her car to use while she is out of town. This is God providing for me. My needs are met, and I am grateful.

And I've been able to give my time in return, which I love to do (and I have a lot of it while I job search). I have:

• Visited Ms. Barbara at her hospice care. To sit with her was hard for me emotionally, but I was able to love her, and share life with her yet again.
• Squealed with delight as I saw Ameria. Stood and talked with Charles by his gate. Two meaningful relationships I built last year. It's so good to spend time with them again!
• Tutored at S.A.Y. Yes! It has been great to be with the kids again. But I was quickly reminded of my frustrations with the education system as I worked with a 1st grader who didn't know his letters.
• I got to drive Walter and Michael back to Tennessee. It was a beautiful and fun drive with two sweet boys. (Plus I saw the Great Smoky Mountains for the first time!)

Ah, sweet life. You meet me here. Here is to a new beginning full of unknowns. An adventure awaits, a beautiful, full, and scary adventure. One thing I know, I can't do this on my own. So I thank God for leading and guiding me through the motions of life, and for calling back to me when I stray.