This morning I am cuddled up with a mocha in hand, sitting in a comfy, christmasy living room in Troy, Ohio...home to new friends Abby and Lucas. The past year and a half has led to now...full-time employment as a Worship Pastor. Operation Westward Expansion took me to Colorado and brought me back to Virginia and is now launching me into the midwest state of Indiana. This is a move of permanence....and it feels good and right and exciting, if not mildly terrifying.
This summer, a friend spoke on the idea of "finishing well." When you know you are going to be leaving a place, you do everything you can to end on a strong and positive note. He was motivating us to keep pushing through the endless details of packing up summer camp, making the smoothest transition for the next summer, but that idea of a strong finish has stayed with me.
And so these past few weeks have been just that. I subbed a week and a half straight, finishing up the majority of prearrangement jobs that I had, spending time at both schools that have been such a support for me this fall. I continued leading at New Season UMC in Fredericksburg, which sadly enough, has decided to close at the end of the year. And I had dinner and coffee with numerous friends. This past weekend was time with my family...to go on a caroling hayride, to make gingerbread houses, and to eat family dinners with four generations. I'm glad these last weeks were full of people and stories, and that I leave at a time when my family's chapter in Springfield officially closed. Even not being home for Christmas hasn't been a disappoint, new traditions will be made as the family figures out what holidays look like in Colonial Beach!
As with all endings come new beginnings, and while my story is far from over, the "Amy Goes West" saga is. But that just means you can continue following the adventure over at Amy Goes Midwest or amygoesmidwest.blogspot.com. After a couple of weeks to settle in, I am sure that I will have it all decked out in blogging finery.
Friends, thank you for all of your love and support and encouragement. Thank you for continually reminding me of who I am and how God wired me. I love you all!
Fort Wayne here I come!
