Nashville to Naperville

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you, and not to harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

This scripture is a very well known, consistently recited, and often memorized by many. I have just recently figured out how true this is though. I mean, I didn't doubt it. I knew that God had a plan for me. I knew that whatever it was, it was going to surpass whatever plans I could dream up myself.

Over the past 6-9 months, I've felt as if God has been calling me somewhere else. But I haven't been able to see where. Nashville, TN—no. Cincinnati, OH—no, St. Louis—no, Collinsville—no. I've been trying to wait patiently. I've been trying to figure out what He has been telling me. Where He wants me. The thing is...I put in “requests” for where I wanted to be. Or what I wanted to do.

You wanna hear God laugh? Tell Him your plans.

For real though.

Because what came next completely rocked my world.

I need to preface by saying, as a person raised in Southern Illinois. As a person who has lived here my entire life...I'm naturally trained—raised to have very strong opinions about Chicago. There are countless reasons why, and there's no need to go into them. But I can just say that Chicago was not a place that has ben anywhere on my radar at any point in my life. Not once. I've actually referred to Chicago as the armpit of America. You wanna hear God laugh? Tell Him your plans.

I'm not going to go into the whole story of how it happened, but as of Friday 8/14/2015, I accepted a job as a nanny/house manager for a family in Chicago...er—well—Naperville, IL. This family and this family kind of plopped in my lap. It was very out of the blue. When they first approached me, I was hesitant...because it's Chicago. And it's me. And it's Chicago. But something told me to talk to them. And I did. I met them. I met their family. I saw their home. It was that moment of clarity I had been praying to Jesus for.

His plan. His timing.

Not my plan. Not my timing.

His plan > my plan. His timing > my timing.

This job is quite possibly one of the most amazing opportunities I have ever been given. I'll get to travel. I'll get to experience things I have wanted to for a while. I'll get to serve Jesus, and be a witness for Him.

So...in 3 weeks, I'll be saying goodbye to the only place I've ever called home. I'll be moving my life up to Naperville. I'll get adopted into a wonderful family (and still get to keep my actual family). I'll experience a life and things that I've never experienced before. And I'll constantly remind myself of how much God has blessed me with this opportunity.

[To my current coworkers]...you guys are awesome! Thank you for the shared frustrations, the countless laughs, the singalongs, the dance parties, and the memories. You'll still kill it without me there.

[To my friends]...thank you for your support and your prayers. You unselfishly prayed for God's will do be done in my life. Even if it takes me away from here. Special shout outs to Cori, Damanji, Katy and Cassy. My sound boards. My prayer warriors. My best friends. I love you.

[To my students]...y'all are without a doubt the hardest part of leaving. I cannot say that there is one person that would tempt me to stay. Because it's more than one person. It's all of you. You all have impacted my life as much as I've impacted yours, if not more. I will not be absent from your lives, just not physically present as much as I am now.

[To my adorable nephew]...G, I'm still going to be that super cool, fun aunt. That aunt that buys you every single instrument for you to keep your parents up at all hours of the night. That aunt that will be your personal paparazzi...whenever I'm home.

[To my sisters]...thank you guys for teaching me how to live life with determination. Shannon, I've seen you fight selflessly. You always put others first. You are determined to put everyone else's needs above your own. Brittani, you're one of the most ferocious people I've ever met. You're goal-oriented and driven. You see something you want, and you don't just go for it. You actually get it. Bryanna...you're determination is inspiring. You've fought for your life. And you won. You fought for your happiness. And you won. Thank you for showing me what determination looks like.

[Momma and Daddy]...I love you. Thank you for everything. For your support. For your constant dedication. For your sacrifice. For your time. For your love.

Naperville...here I come!

[Thank you, Jesus!]