Yesterday was my 29th birthday and as I look forward to this new year, it's sort of like standing on the edge of something and not really knowing what I'm stepping out onto. Just before Christmas vacation I made the final decision to leave New Orleans. It has, quite possibly, been the hardest decision I've ever had to make. But, instead of reinventing the wheel while telling this story, I am going to include the text of my upcoming newsletter instead.



This past year has been filled with ups and downs both personally and in ministry. Our one senior at UILA, and my best student, reached graduation. We had 11 dedicated interns handling our summer programs with great maturity, we took several high school students to Challenge to grow deeper in their faith, several students accepted Christ at KAA, and the list goes on.

But personally, storm clouds have been brewing. As I came back from my retreat/vacation in August, God really began to bring some things to my attention. I was very unsettled and had a growing sense that things were about to change, but that in itself was unsettling because I have always said that New Orleans was home.

Oddly, I think this quote from an unlikely source sums it all up. “My dream was to win a championship with San Diego and play my whole career with that one team. That didn’t happen - it wasn’t the plan. And it took a devastating injury to tear me away from that city. Be flexible enough to know when you’re being led in another direction, and then follow that new vision with all your heart. You are being led there for a reason. Coincidence is usually God working anonymously.” - Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints quarterback.

So for me, my dream was to live in New Orleans and make a difference here. To make a life here. But lately, I’ve come to realize that God has other plans.

It took me several weeks to even consider that all of the unrest may be a call to move on and it took even longer for me to say the words out loud. Then, after a discussion with my pastor and boss, it took me another month or so to really understand and admit that it was time to leave New Orleans.

It’s so hard to put it all into words. God has been so good, and I have learned so much. I have learned of His faithfulness and provision. I have learned about a new culture. I have learned what it takes to maintain long-distance friendships. I have learned how to better lead others. I have learned how to trust God more. I have learned that people are people and dealing with people is messy, but service is God’s way of teaching us but also rewarding us through what we learn.

As I have prayed and thought about this decision and as a few close to me have prayed and talked through this with me, I realize more than ever how grateful I am for each and every one of you. Your prayers and your amazing financial partnership these past three years have been a blessing I cannot even begin to describe. You have taught me the beauty of generosity, and I am humbled by your desire to see God glorified.

I have to admit, when all of this began to happen, I was so fearful of being a disappointment, and I often felt guilty for even thinking about leaving. Perhaps it’s my generally people-pleasing personality or my desire to see everything I start finished to completion, but it’s been hard to work through those feelings. I am grateful for those God has brought alongside me to show me that when He is leading, He will not only take care of my future, but the future of the ministry.

It’s hard to even begin to put the past three years into words. As I have looked back through so many of the photos I’ve taken memory upon memory continues to surface. Memories of living in a camper with no plumbing and having to run into the Yellow House in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom. Memories of so many teams, and individuals, that I have met that have taught me everything from how to use a nailgun to how to be a great friend. Memories of pushing Kentrell to be the best he could be, meanwhile testing both his patience and mine.

Memories of rocking countless babies to sleep and watching so many kids grow into their little personalities. Memories of walking students through their homework, sometimes learning as much as I may have been teaching. Memories of staff that have come and gone. Memories of Monday nights listening to Pastor John talk to teams, so many times that I used to be able to give the same talk in my sleep. Memories of a hurricane evacuation that left plenty of time to think about what it means to prepare for the worst. And the list goes on and on.

To sum it all up is perhaps impossible, but God is good, and faithful and worthy and these past three years have been such a testament to that.

My time here has been such an amazing blessing. And as I said in the above letter, to put it all into words seems impossible. But, during the course of the next year it is my plan to put together a book of photos and stories, many of which can be found on this blog, of God's faithfulness, of things I've learned, people I've met and times I'll never forget.

It is also my plan to continue to blog about the upcoming changes. My last day at Urban Impact will be February 15. My dad and brother will fly here February 23 and we'll pack up and leave on the 26th. I know this next year will be filled with change and new adventures. I will be moving back to Iowa until I figure out what's next. I know God will reveal that all in his time.