A Farewell to Oklahoma

Wow! I actually didn't think this day would be here - my last night in Oklahoma (as it being considered "home"). But it is here, and to be honest, I am sad and anxious. Oklahoma has been "home" to me since I was in second grade, and I have fallen in love with Oklahoma City as "home" over the past 9 years. As I looked at Oklahoma City in the rearview mirror of my car tonight, my heart just squeezed within me. I'm going to miss this place! And while I will miss this city, I will more importantly miss the people. When God blesses you with such dear friends, those blessings bring heartache when you have to say good-bye. Yesterday and today have been two of the toughest days. Tears and a sick feeling in my stomach are present, but it just reminds me of how good God has been to me - best friends, a church community that has become family, a city I have loved. What more could one want? My life and character have been forever shaped by these people and this place. It is extremely hard to say good-bye.
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Tomorrow the sun will rise, God's mercies will be new and fresh, and I will look toward the new future that God has laid out for me. I can't wrap my mind around what is to come, but I trust it is going to be for God's glory and for my good.

Finishing Well

With the beginning of any new journey means the ending of the previous one. I'm not sure I know anyone that really likes good-byes, but I must say that I really hate endings! I even have a hard time when I finish a good book or when a favorite tv series has its finale. I simply don't like endings.

So with only 2 weeks left of this Oklahoma journey, I am such a mix of emotions. There are moments where I think about certain people or just simply life here, and I could cry in an instant. At the same time I think about what is to come in Memphis, and I get so excited! I know it can be easy to get caught up in emotion. Therefore I have been praying that God would allow me to finish this present journey well. I want my eyes to be open to the people around me even during this time of ending. I don't want to get so self-absorbed that I don't finish all that God intended for me here.

The good-byes have already begun. One going away party down and two more to go. Friday is my last day with the sweetest baby boy that I love so much. There is packing to be done and final errands to be run. In the midst of all of that, Holy Spirit, would you please give me the eyes to see the hurts, pains, needs, and joys of others and the courage to act on how you want me to help? Would you allow me to say that I finished my Oklahoma journey well?