Well, lone reader, lots of news to share. So much has happened in the past few months that I'm not really sure where to begin. So I will start with what has been most dear to my heart for the last year, the family you see pictured. December marked my year on staff at Orangewood Presbyterian Church, as well as, my resignation as the Director of Middle School Ministries. This is what I would say to any Orangewood family:
"While I cannot openly express all that led me to come to this decision, I can say that the Lord moves in mysterious ways and I felt a strong calling to move on. I also cannot begin to express how much I love each and every one of these students and their families. This was one of the most difficult decisions in my life to date, and it saddens me greatly to leave. Orangewood has been my place of employment..but more than that. It has been my home, both church-and-otherwise, a centerpiece of my life, and lastly my job. I am leaving with amazing relationships, memories, and valuable life lessons. This is not goodbye, but until next time~"
This past Sunday I had to break the news to my friends and it was more difficult than I have ever experienced before and certainly more emotional than I was anticipating. At the end of the day, this all has been bigger than us. I invested everything I could to further the Kingdom, left on my own accord with good graces and consider it a privilege to have had the opportunity. Yesterday, I said goodbye to the church staff and faculty at the school, packed up my office and drove away-surreal.
So I sit before you typing in transition. Contrary to what some have read or heard, I am not working at Winter Park High School, and beyond that I am not working anywhere yet because I am searching for the right next step. I feel God telling me to step out of full time ministry for a while and explore different platforms to lead others. So I will be working somewhere in the day, finishing my undergrad work at Rollins College in the evening, and trying to discern His voice for my future. It's exciting, terrifying, and confusing all at the same time. Yet, He has a plan that He unfolds when we come to a fork in the road, and I have no regrets of the journey to date. I like to think of life as traveling down a highway. You drive and drive until you feel like you should stop. You pull off at an exit and spend time until you feel called to move on. It doesn't mean any exit is better than the last or worse than the next, but sometimes you have to fill up your tank and press on.
There is much more going on, lone reader, but I think I will leave it here because this is where my heart is at this time. I'll be adding some pictures that I think really capture the amazing people I have loved so much. Until next time, lone reader & anyone else, Peace<><