a year later

I am being recruited right now for a position in Winston-Salem, NC. This was not particularly part of the plan, and because of that... I'm wide open to it. I have also been looking in Richmond for the past few weeks and this past week alerted my current employer of my last day in a few weeks in July. It's crazy how this decision has come to pass, and I'm just ready. There are a lot of things on my plate, and a lot of things to consider, but there is one thing I know for sure.

Jesus is in everything and is everywhere.

On Saturday I took the girls down to Smith Mountain Lake to hang out with JJ at her parent's lake house. I met JJ in October last year, and she has become a dear and beloved friend. Many points during the day and in the midst of laughter, white wine spritzers, and swimming I found a soft, quiet, thankful moment to know that I am going to be ok in the move. I have great friends, and in the day of fun knew that there would be more of those, with more and new people. I was able to be joyful in the letting go, for the new to come... and just really thankful that going away doesn't mean I'm gone.

There are traces of sadness, of course. However, one year ago I made a PROMISE to myself and a commitment that required a lot of prayer and dependence on Jesus, that I would wait at most the year- no less then 6 months. That the emotional drama and trauma of last year needed the time to heal, to gain some resolve, and that I refused to make a decision in the midst of just being upset. 6 months was at Christmas, and I was ready to start talking about moving again. And June came, and you'd be amazed on how close to the nose that 1 year commitment that was made, arrived to pass again. This time however, I seized it and I'm taking the opportunity. I am really, truly, proud of me. It was so hard, and sometimes just hurt so much... but I am glad I fought for it.

One year later I am reminded of many things that I loved and laughed through and I am thankful. Today is Krystal's wedding anniversary, and there is a weight to the day as she is here with me without Jon. I have thought about my family, and the intense ways that I was treated a year ago, that forced me to break free. The freedom has been worth it. But it has hurt.

So today, Independence Day- I celebrate all of those choices and commitments I have made in wisdom and discernment, and for this Country that provides such a landscape of opportunity. I am thankful, and just kind of all over the place. But... just real excited, hopeful, and peaceful about the boxes coming out again and this time- I'm going.