On December 7, 2004, my sweet man got down on one knee after a crazy night of failed, attempted romantic moments and asked me to marry him. His precious 4-year old daughter was running around naked and wet (she was supposed to be in the bathtub), laughing and shouting and rejoicing at the addition of a new mom to her little family. I said yes knowing that my life was not always going to be a romantic fairytale that my husband tried so hard to plan for that night (that's another story for another time), but I knew that I would always be loved and cherished and happy with that man and that adorable, lively little girl. I knew I was signing on for an adventure and I can say for certain that it has been just that. An adventure of the best kind.
Fast forward exactly 10 years later, and once again on a December 7th night, Alan and I decided it was time to officially start the next great adventure. We've always had dreams in our heart. Big, musical dreams, that we've been trying to carve out and define over the past few years. That Sunday night we knew in a way that can only be described as divine peace and a gut feeling, that it was time for a change. We've decided to move to Nashville, Tennessee. This was not a spur of the moment thing. We've been thinking and praying about this possible move for almost two years now. Alan would have gone long ago, but I'm so thankful for his patience with me as I allowed God to reveal it to me in His timing. And I can truly say that it's been His timing and His timing is always perfect.
We have spent the last week telling everyone we felt we needed to tell personally (our kids, family, work, friends) knowing full well that as soon as one person knew, word would begin to get out. So, if you didn't hear it from us, please don't take it personally! We had a series of already scheduled things this week (Christmas lunch with my co-workers, staff meeting, worship team night, Family Christmas dinner, etc.) that I think was part of God's plan. It was not easy telling everyone. There were lots of tears, lots of hugs, and more emotions than I quite knew how to handle. Everyone has asked, are you excited? Yes. Are you scared? Yes. Are you sad? Yes. And it changes constantly day to day, sometimes minute by minute. But overriding every one of my emotions is a peace. An incredible, unexplainable peace that I feel completely covered by.
I wanted to write this blog to make our big announcement as well as answer the questions that everyone have asked so far.
When are you moving?
We plan to move this summer. We want our kids to finish out the school year here (we love and will miss Shallowater schools!), but want to have a little time to settle in Nashville before the next school year begins. However, no definite date has been set.
What are you going to do when you get there?
That's a great question! We are still ironing out all of those details and don't have a lot of answers yet. We do know that we want to continue songwriting and recording as well as explore other parts of the music business that are part of the dreams and goals we have.
How are your kids taking it?
They, just like me, have lots of different emotions about it. One day they're super pumped and the next they are trying to talk us out of moving. I think that's just part of something huge like this. If you think about it, please pray for Taylor, Ava, and Molly Kate. They are my number one priority throughout this entire transition (before, during, and after the move). Pray they feel the same peace that Alan and I do and that there is no fear going into this.
What about your jobs here?
Lubbock Sight, Sound, and Security is not going anywhere! Alan has built an incredible company with incredible employees who will continue to provide the same great work and customer care they always have. Alan will still be very involved in the business, just from afar.
Leaving my job at Church on the Rock was honestly the hardest thing to face next to leaving behind all my family in Lubbock. COTR is my family. It's home to me. I've been given incredible opportunity to learn, grow, and lead there. I will miss it terribly, and will still try to find ways to stay connected even if it's just through relationship with my church family and worship team. Over the past few years, I've felt a shift in my calling. I love leading worship and that's always been there, but there was a greater desire to mentor and train up other worship leaders. It was this God-driven thing inside me to just pour into others whatever I could. So that's what I've been trying to do over the past few years, not fully knowing why, but now seeing God's hand in it all. I believe in the great future that is ahead for Church on the Rock and specifically the worship and media departments that I've had the privilege of leading the last several years. I am so proud of my team there and I can not wait to see the next level they are headed toward.
So that's it! That's our big news. We are taking a giant leap of faith and depending on God at every single turn and I'm thrilled to see where He takes us. I will miss my family and friends terribly. And I will miss Lubbock. But I'm so glad to say that I won't look back on my life in 30 years and wonder what if. We are going after the "what if" with the thought "why not us?"
We covet your prayers during this huge life transition!
