Halloween News

Happy Halloween to everyone! As I type, Kit and I are waiting for the handful of little trick or treaters that should come and for Hamp's plane to land. He was in Baltimore this week working and will be home until next Tuesday before he has to go back.

First, I want to tell you that the encouragement from so many of you was such a blessing this week as I began to truly process this whole idea of moving. Thank you for taking the time to respond here or send an e-mail or a Facebook message or call.

The newest info to pass along is that we now know where we'll be living for the first year we're in Baltimore. We'll be renting a 2 bedroom 1 bath apartment in an area called Fells Point which is in a restored part of the city on the harbor. After discovering that there was a reduced rate move-in special going on, that we'd be within walking distance of anything we would need, that the apartment had a partial view of the water from the living room window, and most importantly that it was only a little over 3 miles from Hamp's work, we decided to take it. We also get free parking in an actual lot for our cars and if you know anything about the north, that's probably the greatest luxury! For those of you who come visit us to watch the Orioles play baseball next season, there is a water taxi that goes across the harbor from the complex and drops you off at Camden Yards. There will be a lot of fun things to discover and we're counting on you to help us do that. Have a great weekend and thanks again for your encouragment!

I Have Issues

I am a first born perfectionist which includes being a people pleaser. A lot has been written and researched about the leadership qualities which are characteristic of most first borns, but I think I just have the ones that make life harder than it needs to be.

As you can imagine, as news has begun to get out that Hamp and I are going to be moving to Baltimore, there have been many different responses. (Should you not be aware of this breaking news, check out the last, which was the first, entry of this blog). I must confess to you most humbly that it matters very much to me what people think about me or because of me. I can give you all the reasons and even a couple of scripture verses as to why that's not biblical, but alas, it is still something I battle. Therefore, this past weekend found my stomach rebelling against the extra acid secreted from the stress in my soul over knowing others were either angry or hurting or confused because of our decison to move.

It must be said that Hamp and I first considered this option because of a door that God opened so wide we couldn't ignore it. Then as we began to think and pray about it, the adventure beckoned and we both got excited about it. On a totally random side note, I did find it interesting that the printing company in Baltimore is on Portal Street. Harry Potter found crazy life changes everytime he discovered a portal into another world and since there seem to be no lamposts to follow at present, this seemed the next best thing. As Helen Keller said, "Life is either a daring adventure or nothing".

So in we've jumped, much to the astonishment of a lot of our friends and family and if truth be told, ourselves at times. Hamp is working in Baltimore this week getting acquainted with his job and I'm home soaking in the quiet time my soul desperately needs. As God quieted my heart this afternoon, he led me to a prayer that Brennan Manning prays in "Ruthless Trust" that expresses completely what I need but couldn't quite capture on my own. I'll close with his words and any "Amens" you would like to add on our behalf will be appreciated greatly.

"Set me free from self-consciousness, from anxiety about tomorrow, and from the tyranny of the approval and disapproval of others, that I may find joy and delight simply and solely in pleasing You."

Baltimore Bound!

Greetings and welcome to the first entry on my blog. I'm sure you already have too much to keep up with, but for better or worse blogging can be a good way to update a lot of people quickly. It's also a way to share pictures which is always a fun thing to do.

The reason we have a need to keep people updated on our lives is because as of today it is official that Hamp and I are going to be moving to Baltimore, Maryland. After a couple of years of life and job circumstances, we reached a place where we were ready to make a change. The door that God opened wide was a job with a printing company in Baltimore, so after weeks of contemplating we decided to go for it.

Between now and the end of the year, Hamp will stay in an extended stay type place in the city not far from his work. The company will let us take turns flying back and forth and then once the holidays are over, I'll join him.

Obviously, there are a lot of details to work out, emotions to sort through, and plans to be made. While it will be hard to leave family and friends behind, we know that heart connections will remain no matter how much distance may separate us. Plus, Baltimore is a major airport and there are always great deals in and out of Atlanta!

One of the more exciting things about this opportunity is that God has already provided a church for us. The former youth pastor from our church moved his family there a year or so ago to start a church, so we already have "family" there which is a huge blessing for us. You can check out their website at http://www.gallerychurchbaltimore.com/ or the blog they keep up at
http://togetherbaltimore.com/.

Thanks for stopping by and check back often. If God brings our family to mind, we would appreciate any and all prayers offered on our behalf as we move forward into this new adventure!