Isaiah 7:9 "... If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all.”
(Long Update warning)
This may come as a surprise to some, seeing
how I had no conclusive plan to move until 2 weeks prior to moving, but I am now writing from Nashville, Tennessee. What led me here has been nothing short of a roller coaster ride, so buckle up and I hope you enjoy this shorten, less emotional recap of my journey.
As Faith explained in her previous blog, the last couple of months before graduation were difficult. Everyone
constantly asked me what my big plan was? The problem was that I had no “big”
plan, just a few ideas and passions that God had stirred in me throughout the
year. I applied to an Americorps program in New York and didn't get it. Which was a bit disappointing because I had been researching that program for a year, but I knew if God planned for me to be somewhere else, that I would ultimately find the most peace and joy there. So fast forward a month later and I got
accepted into a similar program in Nashville. I was so excited to finally see a plan for my future year, but the best, or hardest was yet to come. I now had 1 month to figure out a way to move to Nashville. This search went on until 2
weeks prior to the internship when I was very close to emailing the director with the news
that I could not join the program. There were a lot of tears, questions, and
frustration within that month, which equated to a lot of repenting on
my part. God was so kind in reminding me to take my eyes of my own selfish
ambition and to put my hope and trust in him. To sum it up, He asked me to have
faith in him, making Hebrews’ definition of faith alive and real.
Hebrews 1:1, "Now faith is confidence
in what we hope for and
assurance about what we do not see."
I had no idea how I was
going to be able to move and live in Nashville, but I had to learn to trust
that God was going to do exactly according to his own plan. Once againg, He was faithful, providing me with means to travel to Nashville, a place to live, wonderful roommates,
and a car to use. He worked out every
single detail even the ones which I have never prayed for. I am so
thankful that His thoughts are not mine nor are his ways (Isaiah
55:8) and that I can trust wherever God pleases to lead me, even when there are bumps on the road to get there.
So how am I liking Music City? I love it. I got personally welcomed to the city, in Starbucks, from a sweet old man who is a native to the city. Talk about Southern Hospitality. Here are four things I have been enjoying this past month and a half:
- I have 3 awesome Godly women as roommates who have done everything to welcome me into our home (which I love by the way)
Two of my roommates (in the brown and green) and their friends,
while watching Carmen the ballet in the park (it was not rated PG to say the least haha)
Our huge Florida room, which I ironically never had one of in Florida.
- I like running around my neighborhood, and looking at the houses which all have their own personality (sorry Florida, Nashville has you beat on this one)
- I love shopping at Trader Joe's and getting cheap staples and specialty health foods like their yummy Harvest Grain Blend
- I love being able to work with different people in the community though my different projects at work
Nashville is more of a
melting pot than people often think.There is also a lot of people around the city from different parts of the U.S. & world. So no, everyone here does not have a country accent ;), which I personally love being the linguistics nerd I am.
Side view of the full size replica of the Parthenon at a park 5 minutes from my house
Other things that are
going on in my life—Applying to medical school a.k.a. my non-paying, money-sucking second job. It has taken a lot of the Lord’s grace to enjoy this long process and continue on with it, but I know that I need to be faithful,
so I’m praying for more joy =].
BUT greatest update of all—I’m now
an Aunt to a beautiful baby boy, Essien.
I
love him so much, and can stare at his face all day. He is making it hard to
not be in Miami, but I know the first moment I get to hold him that it will be
much worth the wait.
So I hope to blog more
frequently, and share more about my adventure in Nashville working, building
community and learning more about this gracious Lord of ours.
Love Steph
