A New Start!

As this week came to a start, it has been filled with so many blessings.  Sunday our oldest son Dakota was confirmed at Aurora United Methodist Church.  As a mother I am so proud of the young man he is turning into.  See, his dad and I had no part in his choice to be confirmed.  This last fall Dakota was invited to youth by his football coach on Wednesday nights, from there I saw a change in my son that I cannot explain.  To see his heart in the right place, to see him laughing with his buddies at church, wanting to go and be there when his friends are baptized in the creek, supporting them and giving them a high five!  To watch his classmates perform a skit that brought a church to tears.  That is priceless.  I am so blessed to have the privilege to be his mother.   He has watched me work 3 jobs, get little sleep, coach basketball, soccer and baseball.  Both my boys are my biggest fans, supporters, motivators and the list goes on.  Sunday after confirmation we went to lunch with several friends and our family.  To see Dakota look so diligently through his great grandmothers bible that was passed down to him brought tears to my eyes.  To see both my boys excited over a bracelet that says Gods Not Dead,  words cannot describe the joy in my heart.  The best part was having both my parents there on Sunday.  I honestly cannot tell you the last time we sat in church and it was not a funeral.  It was the best feeling in the world to have them sitting by my side on Sunday!  

As this week comes to an end, I am saying goodbye to a career that has been my life for the past 9 ½ years.  Several years ago God called me into the mission field.  I made a promise that I would not rush it, and that I would wait for God to open the doors as to what and where I was supposed to go.  Would it be state side or abroad?  A few months ago I was asked to be on a steering committee for a benefit concert coming to Aurora.  Li

ttle did I know God was setting up the next chapter in my life.  I was introduced to Rob Frank a retired country music producer from Nashville, who was coming out of retirement to strictly do shows that give back.  As our friendship grew, we found we both had the same passion for helping others.  Monday I begin my new career as Vice President of Sales and Marketing for RS Express Foundation and RS Express Enterprise.  So many have asked if I am nervous, scared and the list goes on.  My answer to all those questions is NO.   Rob and I spent a lot of time in prayer, not just with ourselves but with our Pastor Kathy Osiel and Her husband who is the youth pastor Vince Osiel, and many others.  I believe firmly that when allow God to use us, He will bring the right people at the right time into your life.  I am excited that I will be able to spend more time with my boys, I will get to teach them the joy of doing for others and how amazing it feels to know you did something for someone else, and you get nothing in return in regards to material things, but the blessing you will reap down the road are priceless. 

So as I say goodbye to my Jack Henry & Associates family it is with a heavy heart.  They are like family and I love them all.  But knowing that each day I will be getting up and going to work doing what God has called me to do, I cannot even begin to explain the joy in my heart!  I want to thank Jack Henry & Associates for believing in me from day 1.  I want to thank my James River Church family leading me back home and showing me how much Jesus loves me!  I want to thank my new church family at Aurora United Methodist for making my family feel and be a part of your family.  From youth group, to small group and just the love each other shares.  I am extremely blessed! 

To each of you, always remember it is never too late to follow your dreams, and to pursue the life God has called you to live!