I never thought I would actually be living somewhere different than Chicago. People have told me how difficult moving is and I would agree with them. You have to meet new people, start a new job, move into a new environment, find a new church, and build a new community. I’m not going to lie, it has definitely been exhausting. I know that the Lord is working, so I am patiently waiting on the Lord to work all things out. He will continue to make me feel more comfortable here and not feel like I am missing my community from home as much.
I left on Saturday morning July 28th with the Smith family, Staal family, and the Rodemoyer family there to pray me off. That was a cool reminder that my moving was a calling from the Lord and that my support group back home believe in the power of prayer. We loaded my car full and my best friend Melissa’s car full. The Lord has blessed me with an incredible best friend who is willing to move me down all the way to Memphis! We got started on our way, with my eyes full of tears. I have had a lot of lost this year and leaving home was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do.
We arrived in Memphis around dinner time. We pulled up to the house and stepped out of the car. The only thing I could think to say to Melissa was, “Well, We aren’t in Kanas anymore.” That is what I would say to Melissa every time we would step off the plane in Uganda. This moment reminded me of that same moment in Uganda where I wasn’t to sure about what I was walking into.
I am glad that the Lord has made me into a person that is able to plug in quickly. The very next day, I visited a church that I found online the night before. On this church’s website it said there vision was to Love God, Love People, and Go Global. That alined perfectly with what I believe is my purpose. Like the crazy person I am, I decided to go to the church based off the website. I walked in that first day to the welcome center desk to ask about bible classes. Within a few minutes after walking into that building I knew that the Lord placed me here. People, including myself, have been praying for a community of believers and a church family I could plug into and the Lord provided one the second day I was there. If you know me, that is so crazy because I have been known in the past for being critical of different churches. The Lord is faithful! The church that I have been going to is called New Hope and the people who go there are great! I have been helping with their youth ministry already and am starting to attend their young adult group. This church challenges me through the Word of God and encourages me to dive into a deep relationship with God.
These are pictures of a couple of incredible girls in the youth ministry I have had the pleasure to hang out with! Thanks for helping my first few weeks in Memphis be even better girls! Love you!
I have been in school for 2 full weeks now! My class is the best! I am teaching 3rd grade and really enjoying getting to know my students. School makes me exhausted but I know the Lord is going to use me in my students life’s and he has only just begun. I have been coaching volleyball for the middle schoolers and high schoolers this year as well. Go Eagles! Brinkley Heights is like a family and I am thankful for my new family! 
God is Faithful 